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
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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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offending
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
On hotter, stormier worlds, these reactions speed up, drawing more of the offending carbon dioxide into rock.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
For example, coordination with KYB providers can be effective for identifying other telecom assets under the control or ownership of the offending CSP.
—Peter Ford, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The press, however—fearing backlash to its positive depiction of interracial romance—rewrote the conclusion without Grey’s knowledge or consent, killing off Nophaie and the offending prospect of miscegenation.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
One assumes there will be widespread debate over the accuracy of Kimmel’s offending comments.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
This was never about offending Black people.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
To win an Allure Best of Beauty Clean award, a product cannot contain any of the offending ingredients to even be considered.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
If Google grants the request, note that the removal tool doesn't take the offending page off the internet.
—Ross Kernez, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Democrats and progressives are unsure of much, wary of offending anyone in their coalition, and unclear who will lead them in 2028.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Linehan shared the allegedly offending X posts on his Substack page.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
The woman marked the offending area with red thread and put it aside, to be sent to the factory’s repair sector.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
On hotter, stormier worlds, these reactions speed up, drawing more of the offending carbon dioxide into rock.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
For example, coordination with KYB providers can be effective for identifying other telecom assets under the control or ownership of the offending CSP.
—Peter Ford, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The press, however—fearing backlash to its positive depiction of interracial romance—rewrote the conclusion without Grey’s knowledge or consent, killing off Nophaie and the offending prospect of miscegenation.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
There was no accessible list of people supposedly celebrating Kirk’s murder, and a submissions portal for offending posts about him remained inactive.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
One assumes there will be widespread debate over the accuracy of Kimmel’s offending comments.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
This was never about offending Black people.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
To win an Allure Best of Beauty Clean award, a product cannot contain any of the offending ingredients to even be considered.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
If Google grants the request, note that the removal tool doesn't take the offending page off the internet.
—Ross Kernez, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Democrats and progressives are unsure of much, wary of offending anyone in their coalition, and unclear who will lead them in 2028.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Linehan shared the allegedly offending X posts on his Substack page.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offending
Verb
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In its heyday, the series was forced to contend with photographers trespassing on the set, hiding in bushes and trees in hopes of capturing major spoilers.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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The driver refuses to get out and argues that police are trespassing on private property.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Would any self-respecting show really risk insulting the viewer’s intelligence so flagrantly?—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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The Krafts need to have an open, transparent process that addresses the tough issues and avoids insulting the mayor.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The bill will force cities in large counties in the state to allow projects on properties within one-half mile of certain transit stops, even on land that is not zoned for residential use, or face a fine for violating state law.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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San Diego City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell has admitted violating city record-keeping rules during her 2022 re-election campaign and agreed to pay a $300 fine to resolve the case brought by the San Diego Ethics Commission.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Low, who has been in regular contact with NRC colleagues on the ground — most of them local staff — said civilians are being forced into impossible decisions as the offensive intensifies.—
Kaity Kline,
NPR,
18 Sep. 2025
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Cal’s offensive staff includes two former Mountain West head coaches.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Crafted in Ireland, the coach features dark brown panels adorned with golden scrollwork and a gilded roof, offering shelter from the light rain falling over Berkshire.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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With the last night of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve falling on the same day this year – something that rarely happens – the reverend and rabbi choose to offer a joint service for their congregations.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Sep. 2025
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While Japan and China are already breaking speed records and bringing the technology to life, projects in the West are still struggling to deliver even conventional high-speed rail.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The fourth episode depicts him as a negligent and emotionally abusive lover to Satan, further connecting him to the show’s previous portrayals of Saddam Hussein.—
Nick Marx,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
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This all in spite of Johanne’s best efforts to present Johanna in the most radiant of lights, a fact Johanna deems as abusive more than flattering.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Caiman was found wandering as a stray and suffering from demodectic mange, a skin infection that left him hairless and pink.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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On the streamer’s biggest hit, Game Changer, a competition show in which the premise changes every episode, Wysocki has managed to nurture intense parasocial bonds with Dropout’s fans by showcasing his personality as a chillass wandering spirit.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offending. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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