offended

[ uh-fen-did ]

/ əˈfɛn dɪd /

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See synonyms for offended on Thesaurus.com

adjective

feeling or expressing hurt, indignation, or irritation because of a perceived wrong or insult: The man replied in an offended voice, "My niece would never do anything like that!"

being the recipient or victim of criminal or morally repugnant behavior: After the referral agent and the offender speak, the offended individual is invited to speak about how the assault affected them.

(of a sense, taste, etc.) affected disagreeably: With the bright neon blue and red, the dress looked like clown garb, so my offended aesthetic sense told me to take it off.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of offend.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of offended

offend + -ed²

OTHER WORDS FROM offended

of·fend·ed·ly, adverbof·fend·ed·ness, nounhalf-of·fend·ed, adjectiveun·of·fend·ed, adjective

Words nearby offended

offcut, off-duty, Offenbach, offence, offend, offended, offender, offense, offenseless, offensive, offer

How to use offended in a sentence

The National Gallery of Art postponed the exhibition for fear that museumgoers might be offended, and then the pandemic forced the gallery to close anyway.
Philip Guston’s art speaks to our present moment. We shouldn’t have to wait to see it.|Sebastian Smee|January 14, 2021|Washington Post
What offends me the most is that my fiancee has a tendency to negotiate after she apologizes.
Miss Manners: Poky eater keeps family stuck at the table|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|January 2, 2021|Washington Post
To have accuracy calculated in the absence of my lived experience not only offends me, but also puts me in real danger.
How our data encodes systematic racism|Amy Nordrum|December 10, 2020|MIT Technology Review
However, OSC gives any offending agency — in this case, UASGM — 60 days to conduct its own probe and respond to the complaints.
Federal watchdog says “substantial likelihood of wrongdoing” at US broadcasting agency|Alex Ward|December 3, 2020|Vox

The politician sent the offending tweet featuring lyrics from the 2002 smash directly to Lil Jon.
Lil Jon Drags Congressional Republican For Using ‘Get Low’ Lyrics To Promote His Win|Joe Colucci|November 11, 2020|Essence.com
“I think that all Slovaks should feel offended,” said MP Tomas Galbavy, who served on the parliamentary culture committee.
When Countries Lose Their Shit Over American Movies|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I did so, and he explained that he did not mean to be inappropriate and he was sorry if I was offended.
‘I Saved My Friend From Bill Cosby’|Lloyd Grove|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It offended doctors and even some people in the government,” he says.
Was Flying Hero Doctor With Ebola to the U.S. the Wrong Call?|Abby Haglage|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No doubt, the Italians would have been offended if he had chosen to marry anywhere else.
An Affair to Remember for George and Amal|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was very offended that we hired him to do what she saw as her dream job.
Katie Couric on Diane Sawyer: 'I Wonder Who She Blew This Time'|Lloyd Grove|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“This is satisfactory,” said Wardle, hardly knowing whether to smile or be offended.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
When in the car if you find the exertion of talking painful, say so frankly; your escort cannot be offended.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
All these persons shall be sacri: they have offended against the gods and the gods will see to their punishment.
The Religion of Ancient Rome|Cyril Bailey
He has a right to be offended, if, after telling him what you wish for, he returns to find you already supplied.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
"I thought perhaps you would have liked it named after your brother," she said, very much offended on the baby's account.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood