1
as in trespassing
to commit an offense
since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in outraging
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
3
as in violating
to fail to keep
offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in insulting
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offending
Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
The offending portraits were cited as the cause.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
The optimal solution for economic self-harm is not to conjure an elaborate rebate mechanism but to scale back the offending tariffs at the first opportunity.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Democrats and progressives are unsure of much, wary of offending anyone in their coalition, and unclear who will lead them in 2028.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Linehan shared the allegedly offending X posts on his Substack page.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
In other cases, the rabbinical association has expelled offending rabbis.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
In one corner is Tamra Judge, the hardened veteran, who is peddling a story about being betrayed by someone on the cast, only to be shocked when only half of the women believe her, given her history of offending everyone and then apologizing for it over the years.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Grok is busy offending Twitter users.
—PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Moolah has covered the cost of fines incurred by the All-Star but also expects to receive shoes from its factory produced without the offending logos in the next several weeks.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
The press, however—fearing backlash to its positive depiction of interracial romance—rewrote the conclusion without Grey’s knowledge or consent, killing off Nophaie and the offending prospect of miscegenation.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
The offending portraits were cited as the cause.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
The optimal solution for economic self-harm is not to conjure an elaborate rebate mechanism but to scale back the offending tariffs at the first opportunity.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Democrats and progressives are unsure of much, wary of offending anyone in their coalition, and unclear who will lead them in 2028.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Linehan shared the allegedly offending X posts on his Substack page.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
In other cases, the rabbinical association has expelled offending rabbis.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
In one corner is Tamra Judge, the hardened veteran, who is peddling a story about being betrayed by someone on the cast, only to be shocked when only half of the women believe her, given her history of offending everyone and then apologizing for it over the years.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Grok is busy offending Twitter users.
—PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Moolah has covered the cost of fines incurred by the All-Star but also expects to receive shoes from its factory produced without the offending logos in the next several weeks.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offending
Verb
-
In its heyday, the series was forced to contend with photographers trespassing on the set, hiding in bushes and trees in hopes of capturing major spoilers.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The driver refuses to get out and argues that police are trespassing on private property.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Would any self-respecting show really risk insulting the viewer’s intelligence so flagrantly?—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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The Krafts need to have an open, transparent process that addresses the tough issues and avoids insulting the mayor.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The bill will force cities in large counties in the state to allow projects on properties within one-half mile of certain transit stops, even on land that is not zoned for residential use, or face a fine for violating state law.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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San Diego City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell has admitted violating city record-keeping rules during her 2022 re-election campaign and agreed to pay a $300 fine to resolve the case brought by the San Diego Ethics Commission.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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If one employee spots profanity or offensive language in an application, then it is sent to another employee, and possibly moved up the chain.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
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The preseason play wasn’t encouraging, and Canales’ decision to rest the starters in the exhibition finale looks even more puzzling in hindsight, especially after the offensive group produced three three-and-outs and one touchdown drive.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This can be something forceful falling or pressing on the toe or twisting it in an awkward manner.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Borrowers aged 18 to 29 are also falling 90 or more days late on auto loans faster than older borrowers.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Sep. 2025
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While Japan and China are already breaking speed records and bringing the technology to life, projects in the West are still struggling to deliver even conventional high-speed rail.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The fourth episode depicts him as a negligent and emotionally abusive lover to Satan, further connecting him to the show’s previous portrayals of Saddam Hussein.—
Nick Marx,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
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This all in spite of Johanne’s best efforts to present Johanna in the most radiant of lights, a fact Johanna deems as abusive more than flattering.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Caiman was found wandering as a stray and suffering from demodectic mange, a skin infection that left him hairless and pink.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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On the streamer’s biggest hit, Game Changer, a competition show in which the premise changes every episode, Wysocki has managed to nurture intense parasocial bonds with Dropout’s fans by showcasing his personality as a chillass wandering spirit.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offending. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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