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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of offense
Devers struck out his next three times up as the Red Sox offense sputtered again in Monday’s 8-5 loss to the Orioles.
—
Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
So if the offense is going to have success running the ball down defense’s throats in 2025, what will that look like?
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2025
If the Lions decide to bolster their offense, NFL.com and PFF think the Lions will look for a guard.
—Jim Sergent, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
With the Lakers’ offense not consistently performing at the levels that are expected when Doncic, James and Reaves are at the helm, Redick met with his three best players on Saturday morning.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
So if the offense is going to have success running the ball down defense’s throats in 2025, what will that look like?
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2025
If the Lions decide to bolster their offense, NFL.com and PFF think the Lions will look for a guard.
—Jim Sergent, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
With the Lakers’ offense not consistently performing at the levels that are expected when Doncic, James and Reaves are at the helm, Redick met with his three best players on Saturday morning.
—Khobi Price, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
-
Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. are back at the scene of the crime.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2025
-
In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest.—
Alex Sundby,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Israel's offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since a ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say whether those killed are civilians or combatants.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Israel’s offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.—
Isaac Scharf and Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Video of the incident quickly circulated online and sparked outrage, with family members and neighbors questioning why police did not do more to de-escalate the situation or use non-lethal weapons.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The National Parks Service has restored the original Harriet Tubman material featured on a webpage about the Underground Railroad after garnering outrage over its removal.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Without enough time to truly know each other’s habits, values and communication styles, small annoyances can snowball into deeper resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Meanwhile, in their first Netflix series, Meghan expressed her resentment over that being the big takeaway from the Oprah interview instead of her mental health revelations.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
-
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
-
In a workplace that’s increasingly remote, fast-paced, independent and ever-changing, these aren’t insults.—
Nirit Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Recent White House comments and insults directed at NATO allies – as well as the military alliance itself – have raised alarm and confusion.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Shock and anger Economists warn the new taxes will result in higher prices and slower growth in the United States — while spilling over into other countries and hurting the global economy.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Unlike Molly, who's politely reticent and reluctant to speak up for herself, Nikki can't resist expressing her anger and sorrow—or, more precisely, dramatizing them for whatever audience of oncologists happens to be in range.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
On Friday, a Russian ballistic missile and drone attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih -- Zelenskyy's home town -- killed 19 people, including nine children.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2025
-
There has been a big labor split, however, with carpenters and laborers unions going heavily for Moreno — and waging tough attacks against Aguirre.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share