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

Meanwhile the 20-minute red card is designed to make sure that the offending player is punished rather than the paying punter.

Read more on BBC

It's clear the government needs to navigate these issues thoroughly to avoid the revolving door of offending, conviction and jail.

Read more on BBC

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said offending on the scale of Carrick's "must never happen again" after he was jailed for life with a minimum term of 32 years in 2023.

Read more on BBC

Her one condition, delivered in the haughty tone of an offended aristocrat, was that they sign a note guaranteeing repayment for the damage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

James sounded offended by questions implying he could have trouble fitting in with the team.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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