offend

[uh-fend]

verb (used with object)

1. to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in.

   Even the hint of prejudice offends me.

   Synonyms: insult, affront, nettle, chafe, provoke
   Antonyms: please

2. to affect (the sense, taste, etc.) disagreeably.

3. to violate or transgress (a criminal, religious, or moral law).

4. to hurt or cause pain to.

5. (in Biblical use) to cause to fall into sinful ways.

verb (used without object)

1. to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger.

   a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.

2. to err in conduct; commit a sin, crime, or fault.

   Synonyms: trespass, transgress

offend

/ əˈfɛnd /

verb

1. to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person)

2. (tr) to be disagreeable to; disgust

   the smell offended him

3. (intr except in archaic uses) to break (a law or laws in general)

Other Word Forms

• offendable adjective
• offender noun
• overoffend verb (used with object)
• preoffend verb (used with object)
• reoffend verb
• unoffendable adjective
• unoffending adjective
• offending adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of offend¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English offenden, from Middle French offendre, from Latin offendere “to strike against, displease,” from of- of- + -fendere “to strike” ( bane ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of offend¹

C14: via Old French offendre to strike against, from Latin offendere, from ob- against + fendere to strike

Example Sentences

Taylor Swift is “shockingly” offended by the idea that “The Life of a Showgirl” could be — given her recent engagement to Travis Kelce — her final album.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bellamy denied and disputed the allegations and was not the subject of any disciplinary proceedings, but did issue a statement at the time saying he was "truly sorry" if he had offended anyone.

Read more on BBC

Ms Haggerty-James said the material had been compiled to "capture their offending behaviour".

Read more on BBC

"You were a serving police officer. Your offending must have been abundantly obvious to you."

Read more on BBC

The judge said Kebatu had tried to take his own life in prison, having been aware his offending caused "mass demonstrations" in the UK.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• aggrieve 
• anger 
• annoy 
• antagonize 
• disgust 
• disturb 
• exasperate 
• gall 
• horrify 
• hurt 
• irritate 
• outrage 
• provoke 
• rile 
• shock 
• sicken 
• sting 
• upset