OFFEND Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'offend' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of offend are affront , insult , and outrage . While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting. // hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Q: Where would 'affront' be a reasonable alternative to 'offend'?

The synonyms affront and offend are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy. // deeply affronted by his callousness

Q: When would 'insult' be a good substitute for 'offend'?

In some situations, the words insult and offend are roughly equivalent. However, insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame. // insulted every guest at the party

Q: When might 'outrage' be a better fit than 'offend'?

The words outrage and offend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings. // outraged by their accusations

offend

verb

ə-ˈfend

Definition of offend next

as in to trespass

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

as in to insult

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

as in to violate

to fail to keep offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word offend distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of offend are affront, insult, and outrage. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Where would affront be a reasonable alternative to offend?

The synonyms affront and offend are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

When would insult be a good substitute for offend?

In some situations, the words insult and offend are roughly equivalent. However, insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When might outrage be a better fit than offend?

The words outrage and offend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of offend Anyone offended by an f-bomb—or dozens of them—might want to give this one a skip. —

Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 29 Oct. 2024 Donald Trump is not a politician who guards his words carefully to avoid offending anyone. —

Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 1 Nov. 2024 The offending comedic act equated Puerto Rico to a floating island of garbage, touching a sore spot and potentially energizing key groups of low-propensity or undecided Puerto Rican voters in swing states. —

Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024 When the user asked it to fix a problem on the resulting website, the model returned to the editor, identified the offending snippet of code, and deleted it. —

Will Knight, WIRED, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for offend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend

Verb

At one time, the property required 24-hour security due to trespassing concerns.

Will McGough, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
The security video then shows the apparent owners of the homes the man trespassed on putting the saplings back into their yards.

Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 30 Aug. 2024