variants
or offence
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offensive
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
combat casualties grew enormously as the weapons of offense became far more technologically advanced than defensive armor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in outrage
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
a diplomat never deliberately gives offense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in resentment
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity
my mother was prone to take offense even at the most innocent remark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of offense
George refuses to negotiate, until Dreyer reminds him that treason is a capital offense — and his only living child, Alex, is implicated.
—
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Mangione is also charged with federal counts of murder using a firearm, two counts of stalking and an additional firearms offense.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Colon’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut for assault, weapon, and risk of injury offenses, federal officials said.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Mangione could face the death penalty in federal case
The federal criminal complaint charges Mangione with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Mangione is also charged with federal counts of murder using a firearm, two counts of stalking and an additional firearms offense.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Colon’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut for assault, weapon, and risk of injury offenses, federal officials said.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Mangione could face the death penalty in federal case
The federal criminal complaint charges Mangione with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
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His clemency toward those convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection – including seditious conspiracy and assaults on police officers – was different in key ways from the two previous efforts, by Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Ulysses S. Grant in 1873.—
David Cason,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
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Shih said a search of one suspect’s home yielded evidence related to the crimes, as well as a loaded handgun with an extended magazine.—
Jason Green,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Israel's Gaza offensive killed at least 48,000 Palestinians, according to officials in the Hamas-run territory cited by the Associated Press.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
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Israel has been carrying out a broad military offensive in the occupied territory since the ceasefire took effect.—
DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS,
arkansasonline.com,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The software glitch sparked outrage online, leading to more than 18,500 comments on the viral TikTok video already.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Two Republican senators want to prevent DeSantis from building golf courses and pickleball courts on state parks, following outrage by Floridians to a previous proposal from the governor’s administration.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For instance, a sarcastic comment brushed off as a joke, or unspoken expectations that fuel resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Friendships that last from childhood into middle age can be messy, with many hidden resentments and vulnerabilities.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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During a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Brazil in November 2023, Messi and Rodrygo exchanged insults.—
Felipe Cardenas,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The jury found that on Aug. 19, after Stanford revoked her access, Mangi logged into the study database and replaced patient medical data with erroneous information and insults about her former supervisor, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.—
Jason Green,
The Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Ellen’s decision to end her husband’s life was not an act of anger or violence.—
Tony Ray,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
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Other footage showed similar instances of anger, such as when Ruby Franke expressed frustration at her husband for not being interactive enough on camera.—
Angela Yang,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, about 5:15 p.m. Monday, deputies responded to the area's Valley community for a report of a dog attack.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
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Hamas started the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that left 1,200 dead in Israel, mostly civilians, and took some 250 hostage.—
Samy Magdy and David Rising,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.
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