offend
[ uh-fend ]
/ əˈfɛnd /
verb (used with object)
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.
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Origin of offend
1275–1325; Middle English offenden<Middle French offendre<Latin offendere to strike against, displease, equivalent to of-of- + -fendere to strike
SYNONYMS FOR offend
OTHER WORDS FROM offend
Words nearby offend
off colour, offcut, off-duty, Offenbach, offence, offend, offense, offenseless, offensive, offer, offer document
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for offend
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, adjectiveWord 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
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