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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 of offense in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web The team acquired him from San Francisco in a mid-season desperation move, just beating the trade deadline, after a plethora of injuries plunged the offense into a deep funk. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 The Chargers rookie right tackle will match up with another premier NFL edge rusher Sunday in Cleveland’s Huntington Bank Field (10 a.m. PST, CBS) as the offense tries to maintain its recent progress. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 Clark first emerged as a standout in UTSA’s offense with 52 catches for 755 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021. Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 21 Oct. 2024 Edman supplied the early offense, answering an RBI infield single from Pete Alonso in the top of the first with a two-run double in the bottom of the inning. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for offense 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
  • Tren de Aragua is best known for petty crimes, such as retail theft, and for targeting other Venezuelan migrants.
    Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
  • State law allows for children as young as 10 to be charged as adults for certain serious crimes, at least to start the case.
    Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Russia’s ground offensive is crawling forward at tremendous cost in lives and equipment and will not deliver a decisive result.
    David Hambling, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • While the documentary finishes before the events of last year’s Hamas attack, which took the lives of roughly 1,200 people in Israel, its release comes at a time when war in the Middle East is accelerating, as Israel’s offensive in Gaza have left at least 42,500 people dead since October 8, 2023.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The attack on Lord and other Goons beatings sparked community outrage, prompting marches, vigils and protests to demand accountability from police, school officials and politicians.
    Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024
  • Jam previously appeared at a Trump rally himself, sparking outrage — and a viral moment — after being introduced and misgendered by Trump as an avid supporter of his campaign.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Despite their sharp policy differences, both parties are responding to American workers’ resentment and frustration with decades of feeling left behind by the modern economy.
    Maria Flynn, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Elliot Page translates vitality and promise as the young teen, while a blood-freezing Catherine Keener is the sinister embodiment of resentment and cruelty.
    Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
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
  • TikTokers take turns being the fleeing suspect and bratty cop, exchanging insults and trying to get under each other’s skin, with some getting pretty personal, but most staying lighthearted.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • At first, Channing and Wiest weren’t satisfied with the insults in the script.
    Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • There’s no easy solution for Sports Interactive, no path forward that’s not going to upset some fans of the game, who are already frothing with anger on the company’s forums.
    Barry Collins, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
  • Sure, plenty of viewers found Ariel’s anger with the bakery irritating.
    Abby Monteil, Them, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Jackson showed little remorse for the victims of his violent attacks, which infuriated McManus.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Will Fairview’s high-powered attack, headlined by star senior wideout/running back Jordan Rechel, be enough to make noise in the playoffs after a so-so regular-season schedule?
    Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near offense

Cite this Entry

“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on offense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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