OFFENSE Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'offense' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of offense are crime , scandal , sin , and vice . While all these words mean "a transgression of law," offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code. // at that school no offense went unpunished

Q: In what contexts can 'crime' take the place of 'offense'?

In some situations, the words crime and offense are roughly equivalent. However, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state. // the crime of murder

Q: When can 'scandal' be used instead of 'offense'?

The words scandal and offense can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience. // a career ruined by a sex scandal

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sin' instead of 'offense'?

The synonyms sin and offense are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law. // the sin of blasphemy

Q: Where would 'vice' be a reasonable alternative to 'offense'?

The meanings of vice and offense largely overlap; however, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts. // regarded gambling as a vice

offense

noun

ə-ˈfen(t)s

variants or offence

Definition of offense next

as in crime

a breaking of a moral or legal code wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity

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as in offensive

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence combat casualties grew enormously as the weapons of offense became far more technologically advanced than defensive armor

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as in outrage

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings a diplomat never deliberately gives offense

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as in resentment

the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity my mother was prone to take offense even at the most innocent remark

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun offense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of offense are crime, scandal, sin, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

In what contexts can crime take the place of offense?

In some situations, the words crime and offense are roughly equivalent. However, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When can scandal be used instead of offense?

The words scandal and offense can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is it sensible to use sin instead of offense?

The synonyms sin and offense are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

Where would vice be a reasonable alternative to offense?

The meanings of vice and offense largely overlap; however, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of offense He was convicted of a drug offense in 1994 and served eight years in prison. —

Colleen Long, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025 The Chiefs offense produced the third most yards after catch in the league. —

Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2025 The Reds still have plenty of questions about their offense. —

C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025 Does McVay see a lot of the Rams’ offense in O’Connell’s Vikings? —

Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

Timely tax tips and the latest news delivered to your inbox weekly Kelly Phillips Erb is a Philadelphia-area Forbes senior writer who covers tax and financial crimes.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
When a host commits both a crime and causes an ecological disaster, what is a guest supposed to do?

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 18 Jan. 2025