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definitions

offend

[uh-fend]
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verb (used with object)
  1. to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in: Even the hint of prejudice offends me.
  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.

Origin of offend

1275–1325; Middle English offenden < Middle French offendre < Latin offendere to strike against, displease, equivalent to of- of- + -fendere to strike
Related formsof·fend·a·ble, adjectiveof·fend·ed·ly, adverbof·fend·ed·ness, nounof·fend·er, nounhalf-of·fend·ed, adjectivenon·of·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·ed, adjectiveun·of·fend·ing, adjective

Synonyms for offend

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1. provoke, chafe, nettle, affront, insult. 7. transgress.

Antonyms for offend

1. please.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for offend

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

Examples from the Web for offend

Contemporary Examples of offend

Historical Examples of offend

British Dictionary definitions for offend

offend

verb
  1. to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person)
  2. (tr) to be disagreeable to; disgustthe smell offended him
  3. (intr except in archaic uses) to break (a law or laws in general)
Derived Formsoffender, 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
Word Origin and History for offend
v.

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