offensive

1 of 2

adjective

of·​fen·​sive ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 

especially for sense 1

ˈä-ˌfen(t)- 

ˈȯ-

1

a

: making attack : aggressive

The bear made offensive movements.

b

: of, relating to, or designed for attack

offensive weapons

c

: of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or contest

offensive maneuvers

also : of or relating to a team in possession of the ball or puck

offensive linemen

2

: giving painful or unpleasant sensations : nauseous, obnoxious

an offensive odor

3

: causing displeasure or resentment

offensive remarks

offensively adverb

offensiveness noun

offensive

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act of an attacking party

2

: attack

Synonyms

Adjective

• abhorrent
• abominable
• appalling
• awful
• disgusting
• distasteful
• dreadful
• evil
• foul
• fulsome
• gross
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• loathsome
• nasty
• nauseating
• nauseous
• noisome
• noxious
• obnoxious
• obscene
• odious
• rancid
• repellent
• repellant
• repugnant
• repulsive
• revolting
• scandalous
• shocking
• sickening
• ugly

Noun

• aggression
• assault
• attack
• attempt
• blitz
• blitzkrieg
• charge
• coup de main
• descent
• offense
• offence
• onset
• onslaught
• raid
• rush
• strike

Examples of offensive in a Sentence

Adjective

He made some offensive remarks.

An offensive odor was coming from the basement.

Noun

the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Commanders hired Bieniemy after the 2022 season to be their offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, working with Ron Rivera, but the staff wasn’t retained after Washington finished with a 4-13 record that season. —Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025

And unlike other airstrikes, these attacks were offensive airstrikes against ISIS, not the defensive drones strikes, such as what U.S. forces have done against al Shabaab when they're called in to support Somali troops who are being attacked by the militant group. —Luis Martinez, ABC News, 1 Feb. 2025

Noun

More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory air and ground offensive, over half women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t say how many of the dead were fighters. —Imad Isseid, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025

In the more than 15 months since, more than 47,000 people in Gaza were killed in Israel's offensive, according to Palestinian health officials. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French offensif, borrowed from Medieval Latin offensīvus "used for attacking, causing injury," from Latin offensus, past participle of offendere "to strike against, break a rule, offend" + -īvus -ive

Noun

derivative of offensive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1687, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing offensive

• on the offensive
• take the offensive
• went on the offensive

Kids Definition

offensive

1 of 2 adjective

of·​fen·​sive ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 

1

a

: relating to or made or suited for attack

offensive weapons

b

: of or relating to the attempt to score in a game or contest

the offensive team

2

: causing painful or unpleasant sensations

an offensive smell

3

: causing displeasure or resentment

an offensive remark

offensively adverb

offensiveness noun

offensive

2 of 2 noun

1

: the state or attitude of one who is making an attack

on the offensive

2

: attack entry 2 sense 1

Legal Definition

offensive

adjective

of·​fen·​sive ə-ˈfen-siv 

1

: of, relating to, or designed for attack

offensive weapons

2

: causing displeasure or resentment

especially : contrary to a particular or prevailing sense of what is decent, proper, or moral

depicted sexual acts in a patently offensive way

see also obscene

offensively adverb

offensiveness noun