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.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
annoy, disturb, exasperate, aggrieve, horrify, sicken, shock, upset, irritate, hurt, outrage, rile, antagonize, sting, disgust, gall, anger, provoke, repulse, disoblige
Nearby words
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web 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)
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
early 14c., "to sin against (someone)," from Old French ofendre "transgress, antagonize," and directly from Latin offendere "to hit, strike against," figuratively "to stumble, commit a fault, displease, trespass against, provoke," from ob "against" (see ob-) + -fendere "to strike" (found only in compounds; see defend).
Meaning "to violate (a law), to make a moral false step, to commit a crime" is from late 14c. Meaning "to wound the feelings" is from late 14c. The literal sense of "to attack, assail" is attested from late 14c.; this has been lost in Modern English, but is preserved in offense and offensive. Related: Offended; offending.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper