offense

British, of·fence

[uh-fens, aw-fens, of-ens]

noun

1. a violation or breaking of a social or moral rule; transgression; sin.

   Synonyms: fault, felony, trespass

2. a transgression of the law; misdemeanor.

   Synonyms: fault, felony, trespass

3. a cause of transgression or wrong.

4. something that offends or displeases.

5. the act of offending or displeasing.

6. the feeling of resentful displeasure caused.

   to give offense.

   Synonyms: wrath, resentment, umbrage, indignation
   Antonyms: pleasure

7. the act of attacking; attack or assault.

   weapons of offense.

   Synonyms: aggression
   Antonyms: defense

8. a person, army, etc., that is attacking.

   Synonyms: foe, foe, enemy

9. Sports.

   1. the players or team unit responsible for attacking or scoring in a game.

   2. the players possessing or controlling the ball, puck, etc., or the aspects or period of a game when this obtains.

   3. a pattern or style of scoring attack.

      single-wing offense; fast-break offense.

   4. offensive effectiveness; ability to score.

      a total breakdown in offense.

10. Archaic.,  injury, harm, or hurt.

Other Word Forms

• self-offense noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of offense¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English offence, offense; in part from Middle French offens, from Latin offēnsus “collision, knock,” equivalent to offend(ere) ( offend ) + -tus suffix of verb action; in part from Middle French offense, ultimately from Latin offēnsa, feminine past participle of offendere

Idioms and Phrases

see no offense; take offense.

Synonym Study

See crime.

Example Sentences

After two preseason games and several more practices, Ayton is starting to get more comfortable with his role inside the Lakers’ offense.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“We weren’t able to get anything going early in the game on offense,” Penn State coach James Franklin said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The Florida Panthers don’t have the fastest skaters or the most prolific offense.

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Even against a limping opponent, it was refreshing for Chiefs fans to see the team’s offense clear the 30-point barrier for the first time all season.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“I mean, no offense, you probably couldn’t get the Vanderbilt game on in most bars across America.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• breach 
• crime 
• infraction 
• misdeed 
• misdemeanor 
• sin 
• transgression 
• wrongdoing