51Թ

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View synonyms for

offensive

[ uh-fen-siv aw-fen-, of-en- ]

adjective

  1. causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying:

    offensive television commercials.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. unpleasant or disagreeable to the sense:

    an offensive odor.

    Synonyms: , , ,

    Antonyms:

  3. repugnant to the moral sense, good taste, or the like; insulting:

    an offensive remark; an offensive joke.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

  4. pertaining to offense or attack:

    the offensive movements of their troops.

    Antonyms:

  5. characterized by attack; aggressive:

    offensive warfare.



noun

  1. the position or attitude of aggression or attack:

    to take the offensive.

  2. an aggressive movement or attack:

    a carefully planned naval offensive.

offensive

/ əˈɛԲɪ /

adjective

  1. unpleasant or disgusting, as to the senses
  2. causing anger or annoyance; insulting
  3. for the purpose of attack rather than defence
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the offensive
    an attitude or position of aggression
  2. an assault, attack, or military initiative, esp a strategic one
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage Note

The label Offensive is used in this dictionary to indicate that a particular term or definition is likely to be perceived as insulting by a listener or reader—an affront to that particular individual or to an entire group of like individuals—whether or not an offense was intended. Offensive is often paired with the label Disparaging, which is used to indicate that those people who use the offensive term do so to offend intentionally.
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Derived Forms

  • ǴˈڱԲԱ, noun
  • ǴˈڱԲ, adverb
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • Ǵ·ڱs· adverb
  • Ǵ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • ԴDzo·ڱs adjective
  • nonǴ·ڱs· adverb
  • nonǴ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • v·Ǵ·ڱs adjective
  • over·Ǵ·ڱs· adverb
  • over·Ǵ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • o·ڱs adjective
  • preǴ·ڱs· adverb
  • preǴ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • ܲȴ-Ǵ·ڱs adjective
  • quasi-Ǵ·ڱs· adverb
  • p·Ǵ·ڱs adjective noun
  • super·Ǵ·ڱs· adverb
  • super·Ǵ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • ܲo·ڱs adjective
  • unǴ·ڱs· adverb
  • unǴ·ڱs·Ա noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of offensive1

First recorded in 1540–50; from Medieval Latin ǴڴŧԲīܲ, from Latin ǴڴŧԲ(ܲ) “struck against” (past participle of offendere “to strike against, displease”; offend ) + -īܲ -ive
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Synonym Study

See hateful.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

For months, a man has been pestering residents in the South Bay’s beach cities with offensive remarks and vulgar language while filming the altercations and posting the videos on social media.

From

The health ministry earlier reported the killing of another 97 people in Israeli attacks over the previous 24 hours, as Israel said its ground offensive was expanding to seize large parts of the Palestinian territory.

From

A center for most of his collegiate career, Reed is vying for one of the three open spots on the offensive line.

From

The visit comes as Israel announced it was expanding its Gaza offensive and establishing a new military corridor to put pressure on Hamas, as deadly Israeli strikes were reported across the Palestinian territory.

From

So far, at least 1,066 Palestinians have been killed - about one third of whom are children - since Israel began its renewed military offensive in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

From

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