variants
or offence
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of offense
George refuses to negotiate, until Dreyer reminds him that treason is a capital offense — and his only living child, Alex, is implicated.
—
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Mangione is also charged with federal counts of murder using a firearm, two counts of stalking and an additional firearms offense.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Colon’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut for assault, weapon, and risk of injury offenses, federal officials said.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Mangione could face the death penalty in federal case
The federal criminal complaint charges Mangione with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Mangione is also charged with federal counts of murder using a firearm, two counts of stalking and an additional firearms offense.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Colon’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut for assault, weapon, and risk of injury offenses, federal officials said.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Mangione could face the death penalty in federal case
The federal criminal complaint charges Mangione with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
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An Associated Press-NORC poll, conducted from January 9 to 13 among 1,147 adults, found that 83 percent of Americans support deporting migrants living in the U.S. illegally who have been convicted of a violent crime, while only 6 percent would oppose doing so.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
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In 2020, in a Big Ten-on-SEC crime, No. 15 Iowa (6-2) would have replaced No. 9 Georgia (7-2).—
Stewart Mandel,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The New York Times counts at least 18 rulings that have put the brakes on Trump’s offensive.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Feb. 2025
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Kursk operation—Ukraine struck inside Russia to create a buffer zone and weaken its forces before a new offensive.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There are moments when the performers overplay the humor, suspense and moral outrage.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Democrats used the overnight session that ended early Friday morning as a platform for their outrage over what President Donald Trump has wrought during his first month in office and their warnings of what is still to come.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For instance, a sarcastic comment brushed off as a joke, or unspoken expectations that fuel resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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Friendships that last from childhood into middle age can be messy, with many hidden resentments and vulnerabilities.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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Finally, Smith reiterated that no insult was directed at Williams.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
13 Feb. 2025
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During the interview, McEnany spoke openly about being compared, as an insult, to the character of Pat, because of her gender expression.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Each take, often running over 12 minutes long, captured the rawness of her journey — her anger, her tears, and her vulnerability.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
14 Feb. 2025
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Tapping into his own anger helped bring Kelly's character out, Sullivan explains.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Fierce fighting and long-range attacks continued as Kyiv and Moscow prepare for the revival of talks.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2025
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Incidents like the recent attack where a woman was set on fire while sleeping on a subway train have heightened public fear.—
Paul Dreyer,
New York Daily News,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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