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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of offensive
CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
There are multiple teams picking in the 20s that are looking for offensive line help.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
Kevin Williams, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2026
In the first 10 days of Israel’s March offensive, CNN counted 523 buildings destroyed across 22 communities.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
Williams is coming off his 12th Pro Bowl season — the most for any offensive tackle — and is two shy of tying Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews' record for any offensive lineman.
—CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
There are multiple teams picking in the 20s that are looking for offensive line help.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
But despite the bipartisan appeal, some tech companies, including IBM, have gone on the offensive for other reasons.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2026
In the first 10 days of Israel’s March offensive, CNN counted 523 buildings destroyed across 22 communities.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
The water is disgusting-looking.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
These words then take on guilt by association because of the things we have been socialized to find unpleasant, uncomfortable, or disgusting.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
How did his part as Benny — the Gordons’ obnoxious cousin from Las Vegas — come to be?—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2026
-
She’s guarded, gives her co-workers obnoxious nicknames, and is always ready with a snarky comment.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As shown in The Athletic’s match dashboard below, City might have had more of the ball, but Arsenal created some excellent opportunities with an attack-minded approach at the Etihad.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Both Hezbollah and Israel have have defended their attacks and claimed that the other has violated the ceasefire.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As their mutual competitiveness grows shockingly ugly, Niall learns to turn Ruben’s Samsonian strength and fury against him, knocking down the pillars of Ruben’s own life.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Rudy Gobert followed his inspired Game 2 effort against Nikola Jokic by stifling the three-time MVP again on an ugly 7-for-26 shooting night, and the Timberwolves established a postseason franchise record by allowing the Nuggets just 11 points in the tone-setting first quarter.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Those parties clinging to the outdated and socially unacceptable business model that relies on selling puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers are no longer welcome in nine states and over 520 localities and some are looking for a new home.—
Annie Hornish,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri denounced the attack as tragic and unacceptable during a visit to the village on Monday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Barea is now one of the top assistants on Denver’s staff, collaborating with Adelman on the offense.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
During a 7-on-7 period, Fox-Flores hauled in a nice sideline catch, one of the lone receptions the offense made in the period.—
Gabriel Duarte,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Their banter is empty because outside the season’s premiere, The Boys hasn’t actually shown us this awful America, and how everyone within it, including celebrities, are at risk.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
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This state has had some awful governors, but none in modern times ever attempted anything so repugnant as exposing more children to deadly diseases, as DeSantis has.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Among the art conservatives found objectionable was artist Andres Serrano’s photograph titled Piss Christ featuring a plastic crucifix in a tawny liquid the artist described as his own urine.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Florida’s education commissioner also promised to investigate teachers over objectionable comments about Kirk.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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