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)

Derived Forms

• ofˈfending, adjective
• ofˈfender, noun

Other Words From

• of·fend·a·ble adjective
• of·fend·er noun
• o·ver·of·fend verb (used with object)
• pre·of·fend verb (used with object)
• re·of·fend verb
• un·of·fend·a·ble adjective
• un·of·fend·ing 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

He appears not to have told his employer about his offending and the university did not discover the details of the case until today.

From BBC

He said there were elements of grooming in Beckett's offending and that it continued after he was made aware of some of the allegations.

From BBC

As I begin to wonder if I’ve offended him, he leans back to appraise his work.

From New York Times

Over the weekend, police said officers had found the offending vehicle, a blue Land Rover Discovery, and it has been forensically examined.

From BBC

Sir Duncan has spoken publicly about the case for the first time at the public inquiry into the circumstances around Letby's offending and the NHS response.

From BBC

Related Words

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