offend

[ uh-fend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in:

   Even the hint of prejudice offends me.

   Synonyms: insult, affront, nettle, chafe, provoke

   Antonyms: please

2. to affect (the sense, taste, etc.) disagreeably.
3. to violate or transgress (a criminal, religious, or moral law).
4. to hurt or cause pain to.
5. (in Biblical use) to cause to fall into sinful ways.

verb (used without object)

1. to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger:

   a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.

2. to err in conduct; commit a sin, crime, or fault.

   Synonyms: trespass, transgress

offend

/ əˈfɛnd /

verb

1. to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person)
2. tr to be disagreeable to; disgust

   the smell offended him

3. intr except in archaic uses to break (a law or laws in general)

Derived Forms

• ofˈfending, adjective
• ofˈfender, noun

Other Words From

• of·fend·a·ble adjective
• of·fend·er noun
• o·ver·of·fend verb (used with object)
• pre·of·fend verb (used with object)
• re·of·fend verb
• un·of·fend·a·ble adjective
• un·of·fend·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of offend¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English offenden, from Middle French offendre, from Latin offendere “to strike against, displease,” from of- of- + -fendere “to strike” ( bane ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of offend¹

C14: via Old French offendre to strike against, from Latin offendere, from ob- against + fendere to strike

Example Sentences

She called for forces to record these incidents only "when it is absolutely necessary and proportionate and not simply because someone is offended".

From BBC

Americans can get offended very easily sometimes, where it’s just standard British humour, isn’t it?

From BBC

She described friends "dropping off" following media reports of the offending.

From BBC

“I was really offended by it, so I kicked him out.”

From Los Angeles Times

Experts say those offences may have been a “red flag” that someone could go onto more serious offending.

From BBC

Related Words

• aggrieve
• anger
• annoy
• antagonize
• disgust
• disturb
• exasperate
• gall
• horrify
• hurt
• irritate
• outrage
• provoke
• rile
• shock
• sicken
• sting
• upset