offense
noun
of·fense
ə-ˈfen(t)s
especially for sense 3
ˈä-ˌfen(t)s
ˈȯ-
variants
or offence
1
: something that outrages the moral or physical senses
His conduct is an offense to public decency.
Such screaming is an offense to my ears.
2
a
: the act of displeasing or affronting
no offense intended and none taken, I hope
b
: the state of being insulted or morally outraged
takes offense at the slightest criticism
we ought not … to give offense by sexist words or phrases—J. J. Kilpatrick
3
a
: the offensive team or members of a team playing offensive positions
The stronger offense won the game.
b
: the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score
The quarterback's passing success was the team's edge in offense.
c
: scoring ability
d
: the act of attacking : assault
weapons of offense
4
a
: an infraction of law
was stopped by the police for a traffic offense
5
a
archaic
: a cause or occasion of sin : stumbling block
b
obsolete
: an act of stumbling
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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