OFFEND Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'offend' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of offend are affront , insult , and outrage . While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting. // hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Q: Where would 'affront' be a reasonable alternative to 'offend'?

The synonyms affront and offend are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy. // deeply affronted by his callousness

Q: When would 'insult' be a good substitute for 'offend'?

In some situations, the words insult and offend are roughly equivalent. However, insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame. // insulted every guest at the party

Q: When might 'outrage' be a better fit than 'offend'?

The words outrage and offend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings. // outraged by their accusations

offend

verb

ə-ˈfend

Definition of offend next

as in to trespass

to commit an offense since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to insult

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the visitor unintentionally offended his hosts terribly by failing to compliment them on the elaborately prepared meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to violate

to fail to keep offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word offend distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of offend are affront, insult, and outrage. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Where would affront be a reasonable alternative to offend?

The synonyms affront and offend are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

When would insult be a good substitute for offend?

In some situations, the words insult and offend are roughly equivalent. However, insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When might outrage be a better fit than offend?

The words outrage and offend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of offend While many, including Barstool president Dave Portnoy and sports commentator Keith Olbermann, slammed Reese for the gesture, Clark maintained that she wasn’t offended by it. —

Alex Gonzalez, SPIN, 10 Dec. 2024 Escobedo dips into two rich and colorful histories — Latin America’s and the Met’s — then blends them into a product that will sit politely on the Upper East Side, promising never to offend. —

Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Dec. 2024 With Colby in harm's way, Carter runs out of the stall, grabs the shotgun, and deals with the offending horse. —

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024 What Baking Show instead increasingly feels like is trying to pick out a movie to show your parents and hoping the final choice doesn’t offend anyone. —

Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for offend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend

Verb

Li was arrested the next day for allegedly trespassing at Mar-a-Lago.

Louis Casiano, Fox News, 8 Nov. 2024
At one time, the property required 24-hour security due to trespassing concerns.

Will McGough, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024