of·fen·sive
ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 
especially for sense 1
ˈä-ˌfen(t)-
ˈȯ-
1
a
: making attack : aggressive
The bear made offensive movements.
b
: of, relating to, or designed for attack
offensive weapons
took offensive action
c
: of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or contest
offensive maneuvers
also
: of or relating to a team in possession of the ball or puck
offensive linemen
3
: causing displeasure or resentment : rude or insulting
offensive remarks
offensively
adverb
offensiveness
noun
Synonyms of offensive
Examples of offensive in a Sentence
Adjective
He made some offensive remarks.
An offensive odor was coming from the basement.
Noun
the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
The Tigers finished 14th in the SEC standings, but analytically showed strength in key offensive categories, ranking first in the conference and 17th nationally in free throw percentage, while also placing top five in the SEC in both 3-pointers attempted and 3-point percentage.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
As Israel ramps up its offensive against Hezbollah, migrant workers in Lebanon are being displaced for a second time — and resources are running thin, the International Organization for Migration warns.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
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show current usage.
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Adjective
Freshman Blanca Quinonez, who helped carry the team through poor offensive performances in the Fort Worth regional, spent most of the game on the bench due to foul trouble and finished with just five points and two turnovers.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
The Tigers finished 14th in the SEC standings, but analytically showed strength in key offensive categories, ranking first in the conference and 17th nationally in free throw percentage, while also placing top five in the SEC in both 3-pointers attempted and 3-point percentage.
—Aaron Segal, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Starbucks is rolling out the initiative in July with the first payouts to begin in the fall – part of a charm offensive to boost sales by reconnecting with customers turned off by long waits and high prices.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
As Israel ramps up its offensive against Hezbollah, migrant workers in Lebanon are being displaced for a second time — and resources are running thin, the International Organization for Migration warns.
—Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offensive. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
offensive
1 of 2 adjective
of·fen·sive
ə-ˈfen(t)-siv
1
a
: relating to or made or suited for attack
offensive weapons
b
: of or relating to the attempt to score in a game or contest
the offensive team
2
: causing painful or unpleasant sensations
an offensive smell
3
: causing displeasure or resentment
an offensive remark
offensively
adverb
offensiveness
noun
offensive
2 of 2 noun1
: the state or attitude of one who is making an attack
on the offensive
Legal Definition
offensive
adjective
of·fen·sive
ə-ˈfen-siv
1
: of, relating to, or designed for attack
offensive weapons
2
: causing displeasure or resentment
especially
: contrary to a particular or prevailing sense of what is decent, proper, or moral
depicted sexual acts in a patently offensive way
see also obscene
offensively
adverb
offensiveness
noun
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