offense

noun

of·​fense ə-ˈfen(t)s How to pronounce offense (audio)
especially for sense 3
ˈä-ˌfen(t)s How to pronounce offense (audio)
ˈȯ-
variants or offence
Synonyms of offensenext
1
: something that outrages the moral or physical senses
His conduct is an offense to public decency.
Such screaming is an offense to my ears.
2
a
: the act of displeasing or affronting
no offense intended and none taken, I hope
b
: the state of being insulted or morally outraged
takes offense at the slightest criticism
we ought not … to give offense by sexist words or phrases—J. J. Kilpatrick
3
a
: the offensive team or members of a team playing offensive positions
The stronger offense won the game.
b
: the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score
The quarterback's passing success was the team's edge in offense.
c
: scoring ability
d
: the act of attacking : assault
weapons of offense
4
a
: an infraction of law
was stopped by the police for a traffic offense
especially : misdemeanor
had a record of petty offenses
b
: a breach of a moral or social code : sin, misdeed
was tolerant of his youthful offenses
5
a
archaic : a cause or occasion of sin : stumbling block
b
obsolete : an act of stumbling
offenseless
ə-ˈfen(t)s-ləs How to pronounce offense (audio)
 especially for sense 3  ˈä-ˌfen(t)s-
ˈȯ-
adjective

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for offense

offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity.

offense implies hurt displeasure.

takes deep offense at racial slurs

resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will.

harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother

umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives.

took umbrage at the offer of advice

pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity.

in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation

dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation.

stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon

huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause.

in a huff he slammed the door

offense, sin, vice, crime, scandal mean a transgression of law.

offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

Examples of offense in a Sentence

He was found guilty and fined $250 for each offense. Penalties for a first offense range from fines to jail time. Our team has the best offense in the league. The quarterback directs the offense. The team needs some work on its offense. The team plays good offense.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even more damning for the offense: The defense is still very good. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024 On the Spartans’ defensive side, defensive lineman Soane Toia said the emphasis in planning for the Beaver’s offense is stopping the run. —Christian Vieyra, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024 The Las Vegas Raiders have announced their new interim offense coordinator and offensive line coaches. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 The search in Paris’s 19th arrondissement was carried out by the national agency dealing with corruption and tax offenses (OCLCIFF), French publication Marianne first reported. —Chris Morris, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for offense 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English offence, offense "assault, breach of law, causing of displeasure," borrowed from Anglo-French offense, borrowed from Latin offensa "encounter with an obstacle, injury, wrong," noun derivative from feminine of offensus, past participle of offendere "to strike against, break a rule, displease" — more at offend

Note: The English senses "act of stumbling, stumbling block" are dependent on the Biblical passage "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" (Isaiah 8:14, 1 Peter 2:8 in the Authorized/King James Version), itself dependent on the literal sense "stumble upon" of Latin offendere and its derivatives (cf. Vulgate "lapis offensionis et petra scandali").

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5b

Time Traveler
The first known use of offense was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing offense

Dictionary Entries Near offense

offend the eye

offense

offensible

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offense. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

offense

noun
of·​fense
variants or offence
ə-ˈfen(t)s How to pronounce offense (audio)
especially for sense 2
ˈäf-ˌen(t)s How to pronounce offense (audio)
ˈȯf-
1
: something that offends
2
a
: an act of attacking : assault
b
: the method of attacking or attempting to score in a game or contest
c
: the side that is attempting to score
3
a
: the act of offending
I meant no offense
b
: the state of being offended
takes offense at any criticism
4
a
: a violation of a social or moral code
b
: a breaking of the law

Legal Definition

offense

noun
of·​fense
variants or offence
ə-ˈfens How to pronounce offense (audio)
1
: a violation of the law
especially : a criminal act
nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy —U.S. Constitution amend. V
see also lesser included offense
2
in the civil law of Louisiana : an intentional unlawful act that causes damage to another and for which the law imposes an obligation for damages compare quasi contract at contract, quasi-offense

Note: Breach of contract, offenses, quasi-offenses, and quasi contracts are the bases for civil liability under Louisiana civil law. Offenses and quasi-offenses are comparable to common-law torts.

More from Merriam-Webster on offense

Nglish: Translation of offense for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of offense for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about offense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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