offending 1 of 2

adjective

as in insulting

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offending

2 of 2

verb

present participle of offend
1
as in trespassing
to commit an offense since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in outraging
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the visitor unintentionally offended his hosts terribly by failing to compliment them on the elaborately prepared meal

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in violating
to fail to keep offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code

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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 offending
Adjective
The sheriff said the jail places strong emphasis on inmate programs designed to reduce re-offending. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 When physical aggression is directed at White players such as Cunningham or Caitlin Clark, commentators have repeatedly shown a willingness to search for explanations that soften the actions of the offending player. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Trump struck the offending clauses and blamed Cohn for having crafted them. — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 The offending stories, according to the Times, focused on security concerns surrounding the new luxurious Air Force One jet, a gift from the Qatari government. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026 The company is still carrying out a voluntary recall of the offending greens, a move first announced on Friday. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 22 July 2026 As a bald eagle named Indy occasionally screeched at an offending hawk that flew overheard, speakers talked about the time capsule as a message to future generations about Americans’ hopes, values and lives in 2025. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026 Occasionally, some nitwit will play chicken with the offending lane changer, get in front of him or her, and stop the car in the middle of the road to continue with verbal and nonverbal critique of the offender’s driving skills. — Oc Register, 18 May 2026 Charles has since apologized and deleted the offending TikTok, but the controversy continues, igniting social media discourse. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
DeChatelet, an acting instructor at Florida Atlantic University, uses his halting speech to depict a person who’s afraid of offending anyone. — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 The offending text directed any AI system reviewing the document to ensure textual outputs agreed with the plaintiff’s arguments, ignored prior denials from the court, and ensured that remediation would follow as the plaintiff desired. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026 Reporting the name of the centerfielder in The Sun so incensed the offending player’s mother, Bertman wondered if such coverage was really necessary? — Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 No woman or girl should have to give up her right to bodily privacy and safety to avoid offending a man. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2026 O’Herrin notes that chopping down the offending tree is not going solve your issue in the long term. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026 Organizations often overlook early warning signs because the offending individual delivers strong business results. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026 That feels easy enough to follow, particularly when breaking the rule risks offending Zeus, the god of foreigners. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026 Slowing everything down can keep the offending germ—and the toxins some produce—in your gut longer, rather than helping your body clear it. — Angela Haupt, Time, 15 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offending
  1. insulting
  2. trespassing
  3. outraging
  4. violating
  5. offensive
  6. falling
  7. breaking
  8. abusive
Adjective
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Verb
  • The Tohono O’odham Nation said that even if construction were contained to the Roosevelt Reservation, driving onto tribal land to access the area still constitutes trespassing.
    — Mikella Schuettler, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Tohono O'odham Nation said that even if construction were contained to the Roosevelt Reservation, driving onto tribal land to access the area still constitutes trespassing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of trespassing
Verb
  • The Hitlerite hordes are murdering and outraging the peaceful inhabitants of our country, having no mercy on women, children or old people.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
    — Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of outraging
Verb
  • The Seoul Central District Court convicted Han, widow of church founder Sun Myung Moon, of violating the political funds act, bribery and embezzling church funds, the court said in a statement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The bill also increases the maximum penalties for violating local fireworks ordinances to $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense and $5,000 for each additional offense within five years of the first.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of violating
Adjective
  • The only intrigue at offensive line was the backup center battle between Hudson and Patrick.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The impact of new UNC offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino was felt immediately.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of offensive
Verb
  • In its place is a head of dark, longer hair parted down the middle, with loose curtain bangs falling across his forehead and framing his face.
    — Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Oil prices have extended recent losses in response to the statement, with international benchmark Brent crude falling below the $90 per barrel mark overnight.
    — Mike Sheen,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of falling
Verb
  • Angel Reese broke the WNBA single-game rebounding record with 26 while also breaking the league’s season record for rebounds as the Atlanta Dream beat the Sparks 78-71 on Monday night.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Everything is breaking the Sox way so far, and their playoff chances are greatly enhanced by the likelihood of avoiding an AL East team until the AL Championship Series.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of breaking
Adjective
  • Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Born into a dysfunctional and abusive household in 1929, Kusama spent much of her childhood in a military factory sewing parachutes for Japan’s imperial army during World War II.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of abusive

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Offending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offending. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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