offense

[ uh-fens aw-fens, of-ens ]

noun

1. a violation or breaking of a social or moral rule; transgression; sin.

   Synonyms: fault, felony, trespass

2. a transgression of the law; misdemeanor.

   Synonyms: fault, felony, trespass

3. a cause of transgression or wrong.
4. something that offends or displeases.
5. the act of offending or displeasing.
6. the feeling of resentful displeasure caused:

   to give offense.

   Synonyms: wrath, resentment, umbrage, indignation

   Antonyms: pleasure

7. the act of attacking; attack or assault:

   weapons of offense.

   Synonyms: aggression

   Antonyms: defense

8. a person, army, etc., that is attacking.

   Synonyms: foe, enemy

9. Sports.
   1. the players or team unit responsible for attacking or scoring in a game.
   2. the players possessing or controlling the ball, puck, etc., or the aspects or period of a game when this obtains.
   3. a pattern or style of scoring attack:

      single-wing offense; fast-break offense.

   4. offensive effectiveness; ability to score:

      a total breakdown in offense.

10. Archaic. injury, harm, or hurt.

Other Words From

• self-of·fense noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of offense¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English offence, offense; in part from Middle French offens, from Latin offēnsus “collision, knock,” equivalent to offend(ere) ( offend ) + -tus suffix of verb action; in part from Middle French offense, ultimately from Latin offēnsa, feminine past participle of offendere

Idioms and Phrases

see no offense ; take offense .

Synonym Study

See crime.

Example Sentences

A statewide reporting project that included VOSD and dozens of other newsrooms last year found that California was only one of five states that doesn’t automatically decertify police officers for certain offenses and misconduct.

From Voice of San Diego

This season’s Mavericks had the most efficient offense in NBA history, and five of the 16 playoff teams are scoring more efficiently in the postseason than the Mavs did during the year.

From FiveThirtyEight

The police report lists the offense allegedly committed by the two suspects as a misdemeanor “Threats to Do Bodily Harm.”

From Washington Blade

Since June, more than 75 percent of prosecutions involved drug importation offenses.

From Voice of San Diego

“I think it is a pretty reckless thing for him to do because Kristin will be back and other board members will see it and take offense,” Roe said.

From Voice of San Diego

But the fun starts when conservatives stop playing defense and go on offense.

From The Daily Beast

To many of us, that smacks of censorship, the highest offense to our pride in self-publicity.

From The Daily Beast

The most violent offense committed by Wahlberg occurred on the night of April 8, 1988.

From The Daily Beast

If this were accurate, it would mean that the Wilson stopped Brown over a minor offense, not a felony.

From The Daily Beast

Of how incredibly petty the offense can be and how insanely disproportionate the retaliation can be.

From The Daily Beast

In this way it will be managed with less offense and with more ease to the conscience than now.

From Project Gutenberg

In harmony with a fundamental rule of law, a member who has once been acquitted cannot be tried again for the same offense.

From Project Gutenberg

It is almost amusing to see the efforts they make to avoid shaking hands with people, without giving direct offense.

From Project Gutenberg

He described the men at the Lion d'Or as truculent, easily ready to take offense, difficult to persuade.

From Project Gutenberg

Any offense against the grammar of our language is a sin against good use.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breach
• crime
• infraction
• misdeed
• misdemeanor
• sin
• transgression
• wrongdoing