offensive

[ uh-fen-siv aw-fen-, of-en- ]

adjective

1. causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying:

   offensive television commercials.

   Synonyms: unpleasant, vexatious

   Antonyms: pleasing

2. unpleasant or disagreeable to the sense:

   an offensive odor.

   Synonyms: repellent, revolting, disgusting, distasteful

   Antonyms: pleasing

3. repugnant to the moral sense, good taste, or the like; insulting:

   an offensive remark; an offensive joke.

   Synonyms: disgusting, distasteful, shocking, repulsive, repellent, revolting

4. pertaining to offense or attack:

   the offensive movements of their troops.

   Antonyms: defensive

5. characterized by attack; aggressive:

   offensive warfare.

noun

1. the position or attitude of aggression or attack:

   to take the offensive.

2. an aggressive movement or attack:

   a carefully planned naval offensive.

offensive

/ əˈfɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. unpleasant or disgusting, as to the senses
2. causing anger or annoyance; insulting
3. for the purpose of attack rather than defence

noun

1. the offensive
   an attitude or position of aggression
2. an assault, attack, or military initiative, esp a strategic one

Usage Note

The label Offensive is used in this dictionary to indicate that a particular term or definition is likely to be perceived as insulting by a listener or reader—an affront to that particular individual or to an entire group of like individuals—whether or not an offense was intended. Offensive is often paired with the label Disparaging, which is used to indicate that those people who use the offensive term do so to offend intentionally.

Derived Forms

• ofˈfensiveness, noun
• ofˈfensively, adverb

Other Words From

• of·fensive·ly adverb
• of·fensive·ness noun
• nonof·fensive adjective
• nonof·fensive·ly adverb
• nonof·fensive·ness noun
• over·of·fensive adjective
• over·of·fensive·ly adverb
• over·of·fensive·ness noun
• preof·fensive adjective
• preof·fensive·ly adverb
• preof·fensive·ness noun
• quasi-of·fensive adjective
• quasi-of·fensive·ly adverb
• super·of·fensive adjective noun
• super·of·fensive·ly adverb
• super·of·fensive·ness noun
• unof·fensive adjective
• unof·fensive·ly adverb
• unof·fensive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of offensive¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Medieval Latin offēnsīvus, from Latin offēns(us) “struck against” (past participle of offendere “to strike against, displease”; offend ) + -īvus -ive

Synonym Study

See hateful.

Example Sentences

Experts have questioned the success of the offensive, with one calling it a "strategic catastrophe" given manpower shortages faced by Ukraine.

From BBC

Scotland have a long way to go on the offensive side but the Poland game showed that there's a will to attack now which wasn't really there in the dispiriting summer in Germany.

From BBC

Russia's main offensive has long focused on the eastern Donetsk region, but this was one of the most significant ground assaults since the start of the war and further stretched Ukraine's front-line defences.

From BBC

Foster said offensive linemen Jaylan Jeffers and Michael Carmody, who were injured against Washington, would miss the rest of the season.

From Los Angeles Times

He brings the same versatility to his sole offensive position for the Chargers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abhorrent
• abusive
• annoying
• distasteful
• embarrassing
• horrible
• irritating
• objectionable
• obnoxious
• outrageous
• reprehensible
• repugnant
• repulsive
• rude
• shocking