on the offensive
idiom
: in or into a situation or position in which one attacks or fights against someone or something
The soldiers are on the offensive.
She went on the offensive to fight the charges against her.
Examples of on the offensive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
House progressives are ready to go back on the offensive and to protect their fellow members after tough primary losses this year.
—
Hans Nichols, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024
One game after being badly embarrassed on the offensive end in Minnesota, the Lakers were clobbered on the other end in Miami — their body language, their lack of energy and worst of all, their general lack of fight all reasons for serious concern.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
The pardon allowed Republicans to go on the offensive, arguing President Biden was making their point about a politicized system.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024
Many of the deaths are the unavoidable price Russia pays for being on the offensive along much of the 800-mile front line of the 33-month wider war.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for on the offensive 
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.
Hans Nichols, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024
One game after being badly embarrassed on the offensive end in Minnesota, the Lakers were clobbered on the other end in Miami — their body language, their lack of energy and worst of all, their general lack of fight all reasons for serious concern.
—Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
The pardon allowed Republicans to go on the offensive, arguing President Biden was making their point about a politicized system.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024
Many of the deaths are the unavoidable price Russia pays for being on the offensive along much of the 800-mile front line of the 33-month wider war.
—David Axe, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for on the offensive
Dictionary Entries Near on the offensive
Cite this Entry
“On the offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20offensive. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share