of·fen·sive
ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 
especially for sense 1
ˈä-ˌfen(t)-
ˈȯ-
1
a
: making attack : aggressive
The bear made offensive movements.
b
: of, relating to, or designed for attack
offensive weapons
c
: of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or contest
offensive maneuvers
also
: of or relating to a team in possession of the ball or puck
offensive linemen
3
: causing displeasure or resentment
offensive remarks
offensively
adverb
offensiveness
noun
Examples of offensive in a Sentence
Adjective
He made some offensive remarks.
An offensive odor was coming from the basement.
Noun
the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow
Recent Examples on the Web
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
Vizio TVs reportedly show Trump immigration messaging when in standby
An experience recently shared by an apparent Vizio TV owner illustrates how ads delivered via TV operating systems (OSes) can take ads from annoying to intrusive and offensive.
—ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025
Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Israel’s offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.
—Isaac Scharf and Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
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show current usage.
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Adjective
This offseason’s attrition is glaring on both the offensive and defensive lines, the latter of which Shanahan hopes to fortify with some of the 49ers’ 11 draft picks.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025
Vizio TVs reportedly show Trump immigration messaging when in standby
An experience recently shared by an apparent Vizio TV owner illustrates how ads delivered via TV operating systems (OSes) can take ads from annoying to intrusive and offensive.
—ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
Israel's offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since a ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say whether those killed are civilians or combatants.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Israel’s offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.
—Isaac Scharf and Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offensive. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
offensive
1 of 2 adjective
of·fen·sive
ə-ˈfen(t)-siv
1
a
: relating to or made or suited for attack
offensive weapons
b
: of or relating to the attempt to score in a game or contest
the offensive team
2
: causing painful or unpleasant sensations
an offensive smell
3
: causing displeasure or resentment
an offensive remark
offensively
adverb
offensiveness
noun
offensive
2 of 2 noun1
: the state or attitude of one who is making an attack
on the offensive
Legal Definition
offensive
adjective
of·fen·sive
ə-ˈfen-siv
1
: of, relating to, or designed for attack
offensive weapons
2
: causing displeasure or resentment
especially
: contrary to a particular or prevailing sense of what is decent, proper, or moral
depicted sexual acts in a patently offensive way
see also obscene
offensively
adverb
offensiveness
noun
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