offend

[ uh-fend ]
See synonyms for: offendoffendedoffendingoffends on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. to violate or transgress (a criminal, religious, or moral law).

  2. to hurt or cause pain to.

  3. (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

1
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” (see also bane )

Other words for offend

Opposites for offend

Other words from offend

  • 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

Words Nearby offend

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use offend in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for offend

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

  1. (intr except in archaic uses) to break (a law or laws in general)

Origin of offend

1
C14: via Old French offendre to strike against, from Latin offendere, from ob- against + fendere to strike

Derived forms of offend

  • offender, noun
  • offending, adjective

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