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
That advance came as, at every other point along Ukraine’s eastern front, Russian forces were on the offensive.
—
Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2024
But after years of being bashed in conservative media and politics, California politicians are on the offensive this election cycle — and relishing the opportunity to talk up the Golden State as one of their own runs for president.
—Marisa Lagos, NPR, 10 Sep. 2024
Vance has been on the offensive on the campaign trail.
—CBS News, 11 Aug. 2024
The momentum on the offensive sideline was quickly quieted after a missed field goal and an interception by defensive lineman Jevon Banks on a screen pass from redshirt freshman Tucker McDonald.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for on the offensive 
Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Sep. 2024
But after years of being bashed in conservative media and politics, California politicians are on the offensive this election cycle — and relishing the opportunity to talk up the Golden State as one of their own runs for president.
—Marisa Lagos, NPR, 10 Sep. 2024
Vance has been on the offensive on the campaign trail.
—CBS News, 11 Aug. 2024
The momentum on the offensive sideline was quickly quieted after a missed field goal and an interception by defensive lineman Jevon Banks on a screen pass from redshirt freshman Tucker McDonald.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for on the offensive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on the offensive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 21 Sep. 2024.
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