OFFENSE Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'offense' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of offense are crime , scandal , sin , and vice . While all these words mean "a transgression of law," offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code. // at that school no offense went unpunished

Q: In what contexts can 'crime' take the place of 'offense'?

In some situations, the words crime and offense are roughly equivalent. However, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state. // the crime of murder

Q: When can 'scandal' be used instead of 'offense'?

The words scandal and offense can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience. // a career ruined by a sex scandal

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sin' instead of 'offense'?

The synonyms sin and offense are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law. // the sin of blasphemy

Q: Where would 'vice' be a reasonable alternative to 'offense'?

The meanings of vice and offense largely overlap; however, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts. // regarded gambling as a vice

offense

noun

ə-ˈfen(t)s

variants or offence

Definition of offense next

as in crime

a breaking of a moral or legal code wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity

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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

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as in outrage

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings a diplomat never deliberately gives offense

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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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun offense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of offense are crime, scandal, sin, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

In what contexts can crime take the place of offense?

In some situations, the words crime and offense are roughly equivalent. However, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When can scandal be used instead of offense?

The words scandal and offense can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is it sensible to use sin instead of offense?

The synonyms sin and offense are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

Where would vice be a reasonable alternative to offense?

The meanings of vice and offense largely overlap; however, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

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 offense Their offenses range from misdemeanor counts of demonstrating or picketing to felonies that include assaulting officers and civil disorder. —

Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025 But a shootout wasn't seen at Ford Field on Sunday night, and a lot of that had to do with the tremendous pressure Aaron Glenn's Lions defense put on Sam Darnold and the Vikings' offense. —

Scott Thompson, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025 The Ravens offense also led the NFL averaging 425 yards per game and 187 rushing yards per game. —

Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 The offense was able to clock the ball with two seconds remaining, setting up Cairo Santos for the game-winner. —

Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

After a mistrial in 2007, Spector was retried and convicted in 2009 of second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a crime.

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Analysis: Trump refers to the U.S. as ravaged by crisis, calling it a desolate hellscape of crime, chaos and economic hardship.

Natasha Frost, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025