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 On the bright side, Texas' offense, led by Quinn Ewers, didn't fare much better. —

Ryan Morik, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024 The president has the power to grant clemency only for federal offenses – but not state or local ones – and may pardon someone convicted in a U.S. district court, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia or a military court-martial. —

Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024 Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes — and usually those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for those who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. —

Zeke Miller and Colleen Long, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024 Again, the patience for a real winner at Wrigley Field among the Cubs fanbase is waning fast, so trading Bellinger needs to be a step toward bolstering the offense in other ways. —

Jared Wyllys, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

Vertical’s Jude Law 1970s crime thriller, The Order, is doing around $1M this weekend at 603 theaters with Briarcliff Entertainment’s Frank Grillo Werewolves seeing $1.2M at 1,351 sites.

Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 7 Dec. 2024
The potent image-making and performative ferocity turns what could have been a crime thriller into a near-metaphysical showdown.

Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024