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

The report was published as Israeli forces continued a ground offensive in northern Gaza that has displaced up to 130,000 people over the past five weeks.

From BBC

Nine years ago, McVay made the trip as Washington’s offensive coordinator.

From Los Angeles Times

It will be a challenge, however, with the offensive line possibly reshuffling again after a poor performance against the Dolphins.

From Los Angeles Times

He credits the dynamic offensive duo for his success, the same way he knows his former teammates credit him for theirs.

From Los Angeles Times

Even more disappointing for the Rams, they had a couple of key offensive linemen back and were starting to feel as if they were gathering momentum.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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