OFFENSIVE Synonyms: 249 Similar and Opposite Words

offensive 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈfen(t)-siv

Definition of offensive

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment I find your disrespectful attitude toward religion very offensive the smell of rotting food is quite offensive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obnoxious

provoking or likely to provoke protest insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

offensive

2 of 2

noun

as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 offensive

Adjective

The impact of new UNC offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino was felt immediately. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026 More cuts Add tight end Jeremiah Franklin and offensive tackle Gottlieb Ayedze to the list of Dolphins cuts, per sources. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

Washington has launched an economic offensive against Iran and Canada — the two countries one would normally not lump together. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Shiyazh Pete is an undrafted rookie offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys who may not make the team. — Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offensive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive

Adjective

There is real hope of a postseason push, with the disgusting state of the American League leaving the door open for any team that dares to play well.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
This whole situation is discriminatory, disgusting, and quite frankly, Orwellian.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Adjective

Thank goodness Angie Nixon is not an aggressively obnoxious member of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America).

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Stuff like Caitlin Clark getting mugged with no foul being called, or Sophie Cunningham pointing at some obnoxious player, or ESPN drooling over a coach wearing a pro-trans shirt.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of obnoxious

Noun

Detectives charged him with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon for the vicious attack that killed his mother, 57-year-old Josefa Soto de Guzman, on Friday.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
Just like Ejva, who suddenly needs to learn how to protect the herd and make her family proud, even when a violent attack leaves her struggling.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Adjective

The seventh-round rookie threw an ugly interception in the first quarter, while backpedaling and off his back foot.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Several leading Democrats, including Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, issued statements denouncing Piker’s ugly warning to the Jews as a barely veiled anti-Semitic threat.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ugly

Noun

Xavier Pratt scored the touchdown that finally jump-started Homewood-Flossmoor’s offense after a slow start.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The ruling suggests that the criminal offense would apply when materials are simply available on a library shelf.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of offense

Adjective

Cyber stocks late last year and into 2026 were being lumped into the awful enterprise software trade.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
In 2024, Burke’s squad dragged itself off the mat after an awful (yet at the time, typical) start to the season to go unbeaten in 12 of 13 matches down the stretch and narrowly miss the playoffs.

— Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

There were aspects of the smart-grid law that were objectionable such as provisions that gave state utility regulators next to no say in the level of rate hikes ComEd demanded to make the work happen.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Advertisers stayed away, worried that ads would appear next to antisemitic posts, misinformation, and other objectionable content.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of objectionable

Browse Nearby Words

offenses

offensive

offensiveness

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Style

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

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Synonyms of offensive

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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