variants
or offence
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offensive
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
combat casualties grew enormously as the weapons of offense became far more technologically advanced than defensive armor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
a diplomat never deliberately gives offense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in anger
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity
my mother was prone to take offense even at the most innocent remark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of offense
When contacted by the Washington Examiner about the lack of prosecutorial action, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office explained that most misdemeanors and other less serious offenses are referred to the Minneapolis city attorney, whereas the county prosecutor charges felonies.
—
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
If found guilty, people could face steep fines and jail time, and the penalties would increase with a second offense.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
The Dolphins hired Mississippi State associate head coach for offense Bush Hamdan as quarterbacks coach, as the team announced its full coaching staff for the 2026 season.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
These lineages of genius and generosity, our inheritances of these epistemologies and practices may soon become our only defense, our only offense, and our only wealth.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offense
Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
If found guilty, people could face steep fines and jail time, and the penalties would increase with a second offense.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 13 Feb. 2026
The Dolphins hired Mississippi State associate head coach for offense Bush Hamdan as quarterbacks coach, as the team announced its full coaching staff for the 2026 season.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
These lineages of genius and generosity, our inheritances of these epistemologies and practices may soon become our only defense, our only offense, and our only wealth.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
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Police officials at a news conference said the officers had collected personal and private information unlawfully and distributed it to organized crime figures, in some cases for bribes, and that mobsters then carried out shootings and other violent crimes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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Last week, the topic took center stage again when Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, posted a video accusing Armenian crime groups of carrying out widespread hospice fraud in Los Angeles.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Anyone who finds that offensive is telling on themselves.—
Prince J. Grimes,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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Russia has been waging a sustained offensive against Ukraine's power grid through the winter.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The final insult from State Farm came just hours after Karen Powers died, early on the morning of August 2, 2023.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
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In an appearance on Fox News, the Trump-supporting singer bashed the choice of Bunny, saying the performance was an insult to the MAGA movement.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The manipulations also affected how much sadness and anger participants reported feeling while scrolling.—
Simon Makin,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, Iran at home faces still-simmering anger over its wide-ranging suppression of all dissent in the Islamic Republic.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Kremlin said its aircraft reacted to a violation of a no-fly zone Russia has established in the area near Crimea.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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The issue, Council Member Jimmy Hallyburton said, is that the city doesn’t have any definitions of violations that the organizers may have committed.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.—
Drew Harwell,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, sitcoms like Friends marked a movement toward irony in comedy with its trademark tongue-in-cheek banter and sarcasm, Thompson explains.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
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Eby quipped with her usual dry sarcasm.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
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Secondary recovery includes waterflooding or gas injection which includes huff-and-puff mode.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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