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

• offending adjective
• offender noun
• offendable adjective
• overoffend verb (used with object)
• preoffend verb (used with object)
• reoffend verb
• unoffendable adjective
• unoffending 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

John Ryan, defending, urged the judge to consider Jones's lack of maturity and his age at the time of the offending, which took place between 2022 and 2024, adding that he felt genuine remorse.

Read more on BBC

I was slightly offended by that because I see myself as a winner.

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Party leader Olivier Faure said that he would have no compunction about supporting a new vote of censure, if offending parts of the budget are not removed.

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Within the hour, Harrison shared the video of the student on his X account alongside the image of the offending course description.

Read more on Salon

In her interview with the BBC, Ms Yahlom defended her actions "as a peaceful form of protest", saying said she had felt "offended, intimidated and threatened" by the presence of the ribbons.

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Related Words

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