1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
I find your disrespectful attitude toward religion very offensive the smell of rotting food is quite offensive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obnoxious
provoking or likely to provoke protest
insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offensive
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Mark Mitchell and Jayden Stone led the offensive charge.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Anyone who finds that offensive is telling on themselves.
—Prince J. Grimes, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
The Hurricanes also had a 20-8 edge on offensive rebounds.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Mark Mitchell and Jayden Stone led the offensive charge.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
In addition to praise for Justice Carlton's 17-point performance against Kentucky and the downplaying of any concern for All-American forward Madison Booker's offensive off night, Schaefer also taught a history lesson after the game.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Anyone who finds that offensive is telling on themselves.
—Prince J. Grimes, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
The Epstein files reveal plenty of powerful people to have tolerated or participated in disgusting and shameful behavior.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
When an obnoxious influencer (Zach Galifianakis, delightfully punchable) dies in a freak accident at her gallery, Polina decides to pass off his corpse as an exhibition centerpiece.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This latest fight starts with a comment Natalie makes at work that is both obnoxious and innocuous.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The administration’s attacks on Lemon and independent journalists have boosted their online attention and revenue.—
Drew Harwell,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Further, there is the even uglier spectre of players and coaches themselves fixing games.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Shower Heads Even the most high-end shower heads are not immune to ugly mineral deposits and limescale buildup that can clog the holes.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Local officials criticized the FAA for imposing the closure without advance notice or coordination, calling the lack of communication unacceptable.—
Seung Min Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
That failure to communicate is unacceptable.—
Jay Blackman,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And, increasingly, many are mounting charm offenses on X in the hopes of becoming MAGA darlings.—
Andrew Zucker,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Violence is widespread in the city proper, with large encampments where meth and other drugs are readily available and criminals reportedly exploit the city’s free bus system to carry out offenses.—
Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bowing to popular demand, Fennell’s lackluster film doesn’t really bother with the stylistic flourishes of the source — this is really just the Cathy and Heathcliffe show, two awful people competing to destroy each other and threatening to take us to hell with them into the bargain.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In a stroke of awful timing, Devonta’s grandfather also dies during filming.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Decisions were made by his staffers in his name that, while politically objectionable to those on the other side, were not inherently irrational.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
-
That summer, the NYAG’s general counsel finally found an objectionable line in one of Goldis’s blog posts, titled Free to Ban.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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