offend

[ uh-fend ]

/ əˈfɛnd /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: offend / offended / offending / offends on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in: Even the hint of prejudice offends me.

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

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

to hurt or cause pain to.

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

verb (used without object)

to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger: a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR offend

1 provoke, chafe, nettle, affront, insult.

7 transgress, trespass.

See synonyms for offend on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR offend

1 please.

See antonyms for offend on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of offend

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

OTHER WORDS FROM offend

of·fend·a·ble, adjectiveof·fend·er, nouno·ver·of·fend, verb (used with object)pre·of·fend, verb (used with object)

re·of·fend, verbun·of·fend·a·ble, adjectiveun·of·fend·ing, adjective

Words nearby offend

off colour, offcut, off-duty, Offenbach, offence, offend, offended, offender, offense, offenseless, offensive

How to use offend in a sentence

It isn’t fair to ask groups offended by these symbols to wait even longer for change.
‘End racism,’ the NFL implored. So what about that Chiefs’ name?|Liz Clarke|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
I would like to take back what I said, and apologize to those who were offended by my remarks.
Tokyo Olympics chief says women talk too much at meetings, calls it ‘annoying’|Matt Bonesteel|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
That begins with its worst-offending units, the gas-fired plants known as “peakers,” turned on only to give the electric grid a boost on hot, or “peak,” days.
At New York City’s biggest power plant, a switch to clean energy will help a neighborhood breathe easier|Andrew Blum|February 2, 2021|Popular-Science
I feel like we’re in a climate where you don’t want to say things to offend people since we’ve not seen anything like this in our lifetime.
After Capitol attack, social studies and civics teachers struggle with real-time history lessons|Joe Heim, Valerie Strauss|January 19, 2021|Washington Post

“I thought it was a lot and I thought it was unnecessary, but I think it’s important that I keep my opinions to myself because it’s not going to be pleasant,” she said, indicating that she was personally offended by Adefeso’s actions.
Trina Braxton To David Adefeso: ‘When You Attack One, You Attack Us All’|Hope Wright|September 17, 2020|Essence.com
And could the word "Russkiy," or 'Russian', offend ethnically non-Russian citizens around the country?
Rebranding The Land of Mongol Warriors & Ivan The Terrible|Anna Nemtsova|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Worried this might turn people off from his performance, Khan said he didn't intend to offend anyone.
Defying Stereotypes, Young Muslim Writers Find Community Onstage|Julianne Chiaet|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Alex Rubin cannot afford to offend any of the media willing to cover safely dead dissidents.
From Moscow to Queens, Down Sergei Dovlatov Way|Daniel Genis|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some steps would offend some Republicans, such as restarting a modern version of the Depression era Works Progress Administration.
Class Issues, Not Race, Will Likely Seal the Next Election|Joel Kotkin|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“This show is not an exercise to offend people,” McGruder countered.
‘Black Jesus’ Resurrected: Racial Stereotypes or Subversive Comedy?|Rawiya Kameir|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You need not fear to offend by refusing to take wine with a gentleman, even your host.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
Francoeur was afraid of nothing, but he was old; his heart like his head was polished by age, and he disliked to offend people.
Honey-Bee|Anatole France
Some offend because they crave popularity or want to do what their friends are doing.
Report of the Special Committee on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents|Oswald Chettle Mazengarb et al.
Ruth was neither impudent nor hardened; she was ignorant enough, and might offend from knowing no better.
Ruth|Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
He therefore belaboured him till his sullen obstinacy gave way to a roar for mercy, and promises never so to offend again.
Eric, or Little by Little|Frederic W. Farrar

British Dictionary definitions for offend

offend

/ (əˈfɛnd) /

verb

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

(tr) to be disagreeable to; disgustthe smell offended him

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

Derived forms of offend

offender, nounoffending, adjective

Word Origin for offend

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

offend

OTHER WORDS FOR offend

OPPOSITES FOR offend

Origin of offend

OTHER WORDS FROM offend

Words nearby offend

Words related to offend

How to use offend in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for offend

Derived forms of offend

Word Origin for offend