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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of offensive
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Nov. 2024
The victory was a balanced offensive effort from UConn, led by superstar Paige Bueckers with 23 points shooting 9-for-13 from the field.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 26 Nov. 2024
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Experts say famine may already have set in in northern Gaza, where Israel has been waging a weekslong offensive that has killed hundreds of people and driven tens of thousands from their homes.
—Matthew Lee, Sun Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for offensive 
Adjective
In the third stop of their five-game road trip, New York put on an offensive clinic, fueled by Anunoby’s career-high 40-point eruption on 16-of-23 shooting from the field, including a 5-of-7 shooting night from beyond the arc.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 Nov. 2024
The victory was a balanced offensive effort from UConn, led by superstar Paige Bueckers with 23 points shooting 9-for-13 from the field.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 26 Nov. 2024
Noun
While the conflict with Hezbollah remains secondary to the Gaza offensive, its escalation risks sparking a broader regional war, adding pressure to already strained international diplomatic efforts.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Experts say famine may already have set in in northern Gaza, where Israel has been waging a weekslong offensive that has killed hundreds of people and driven tens of thousands from their homes.
—Matthew Lee, Sun Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
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Factor in all the poor life choices college students are famed for and some extremely creative (if often disgusting) superpowers, then allow for The Boys' trademark ultraviolence, and one thing's for sure—the kids of Gen V are most definitely not alright.Matt Kamen, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024
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Otherwise, the food product can end up greasy, spongy, or just plain disgusting.Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In this, the second-to-last time Friends would celebrate November’s most gluttonous holiday, Rachel’s obnoxious sister Amy (Christina Applegate) invites herself to Thanksgiving, and the conversation turns to who would get custody of baby Emma if Rachel and Ross died.Brian Boone, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
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Better that than an obnoxious red or orange, in Murray’s opinion.Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
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For the most part, Israel’s response to Hamas’s devastating October 7 attack was confined to the Gaza Strip.Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
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Episodes often feature logistically complex armed attacks, guided from afar by the top brass, played by the likes of Kidman, Morgan Freeman, Michael Kelly, Jennifer Ehle, and Bruce McGill.Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The Miami Dolphins lost another big road game against a quality opponent with Thursday’s ugly 30-17 spanking at Lambeau Field before a national TV audience.Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024
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So respect to Jane’s Addiction for doing a comeback that ended early and ugly.SPIN Team, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Not holding my breath for Mike Johnson or Elise Stefanik to state the obvious that this is unacceptable, dangerous, & shameful.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
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An American president who thinks strategically would likely conclude that the risks and costs associated with tariffs-as-a-tactic would be remarkably high, if not unacceptable.Samuel Gregg, National Review, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Adding to her woes was an FBI raid on her home this past summer.Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Nov. 2024
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Huerta said the fear created by those raids helped propel her into the fight for farmworker rights.Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But the expectations on them soon began to change: The cast were once rewarded for doing and saying awful things, from bullying to physical altercations and fat-shaming.Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2024
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Here’s the hook, the spoiler, the surprise: That awful boyfriend and girlfriend are brother and sister.Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Once the objectionable joke about Harris was spotted, a staffer asked Hinchcliffe to strike it.Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024
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Brand safety refers to employing measures to protect a company's image and reputation, such as ensuring ads don't appear next to objectionable content.Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 5 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near offensive
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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