take offense

idiom

: to become angry or upset by something that another person has said or done : to be offended by something
He took offense when I suggested exchanging the gift.
often + at
She takes offense at any criticism.

Examples of take offense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Be aware that people are quick to take offense or feel threatened. Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 11 May 2025 The Saints have the ninth pick and would be much more likely to take offense, such as wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan or tight end Tyler Warren. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 When Lawrence declares the Cowboys as a team that isn’t going to win a Super Bowl in the next few years — Lawrence signed a three-year deal in Seattle — the core of the team is understandably going to take offense to that. Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 Though some commenters criticized Trachtenberg for her response to Lively and Baldoni drama, Long didn’t take offense to the comment. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take offense

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Cite this Entry

“Take offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20offense. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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