1
as in trespassing
to commit an offense
since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in outraging
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
the visitor unintentionally offended his hosts terribly by failing to compliment them on the elaborately prepared meal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in violating
to fail to keep
offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in insulting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offending
Verb
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Downey said most off-roader-related calls have been logged as trespassing complaints.—
Karina Atkins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Dec. 2024 -
The nonprofit tried to stop homeless people from trespassing in the building during the past few months by covering doors and installing fencing.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Even in districts that have staff dedicated to teaching Black history, some teachers are afraid of violating state law, according to Brian Knowles, who oversees African American, Holocaust and Latino studies for the Palm Beach County school district.—
Kate Payne,
Orlando Sentinel,
23 Dec. 2024
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That year, the campaign finance regulator separately found that Wyss’s groups failed to provide evidence of certain grant agreements upon conservatives accusing him of violating laws on foreign nationals making donations.—
Gabe Kaminsky,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And then, especially in the past several years, friends who stayed say: Honestly, this is kind of insulting—the way people keep talking about Lebanon from afar.—
Sahar Delijani
July 17,
Literary Hub,
17 July 2025
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The deliberate and insulting call-out immediately sent the wrestling world into a frenzy.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Verb
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That was what turned last night’s game around and what may be the difference between this team getting all the way to April 6 or falling short.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2025
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One possible, yet expensive, remedy would be to bury power lines underground, or confine them in above-ground enclosures, removing the threat of toppling or damage by gusty winds, by falling vegetation or by other above-ground destabilizing factors.—
Hugo A Loaiciga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Epic parties to kid-friendly fun Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter.—
Nour Rahal,
Detroit Free Press,
24 Dec. 2024
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Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Only five times has an offensive lineman cracked the top 20, comfortably the fewest of any position except fullbacks and specialists.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
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On Wednesday morning, following FIU’s first practice of the fall, Jenkins was asked about the Panthers’ new offensive coordinator, Nick Coleman.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
31 July 2025
Verb
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Spend your days absorbing its wartime history, wandering the outdoor markets, dining on seafood, rejuvenating at a spa, or hiking secluded coastal trails before lolling on the white-sand beaches.—
Peggy Orenstein,
AFAR Media,
6 Jan. 2025
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Cohen and colleagues have published several studies showing an increase in the polar vortex stretching or wandering.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The women's arrests uncovered a pattern of abusive teaching by Hildebrandt, and confirmed growing suspicions of critics who long questioned Franke’s strict parenting style on her popular 8 Passengers family vlogging page on YouTube.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
28 July 2025
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Christopher McDonald, as Happy’s nemesis Scooter McGavin, and Ben Stiller, as abusive orderly Hal L, have also returned.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Offending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offending. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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