offend

[uh-fend]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR offend ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in: Even the hint of prejudice offends me.

to affect (the sense, taste, etc.) disagreeably.

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

to hurt or cause pain to.

(in Biblical use) to cause to fall into sinful ways.

verb (used without object)

to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger: a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.

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

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR offend ON THESAURUS.COM

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. 2019

Related Words for offender

delinquent, culprit, suspect, felon, convict, criminal, lawbreaker, malefactor, crook, wrongdoer, con, jailbird, transgressor, sinner

Examples from the Web for offender

Contemporary Examples of offender

That needs to be the rule, the universal standard, regardless of whether the offender is a Republican or a Democrat.
In Kentucky, Elaine Chao Endures Racist Attacks From Liberals
Ron Christie
August 5, 2014
Edwards would be a first offender who, yes, abused his power, but also led a life of public service.
John Edwards Indictment Preview
Daniel Stone
May 26, 2011
Serious problems with laws, policies, and practices persist and can compromise victim safety and offender accountability.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn's Case Already a Victory for Our Legal System
Cheryl Thomas
May 19, 2011
Less than a week later, the offender was sent to Camp Lejune and subsequently deployed for Iraq.
Gates, Rumsfeld Sued Over U.S. Military's Rape Epidemic
Jesse Ellison
February 15, 2011
When the public sympathizes with an offender, there's less political will to file charges.
Was Tiger a Victim?
Wendy Murphy
November 30, 2009

Historical Examples of offender

And yet, if the law is strictly interpreted, the offender is liable.
Flying Machines
W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
Eve knew that the offender had been there too, but she had too much prudence to betray him.
Homeward Bound
James Fenimore Cooper
"Command the offender to quit your ship instantly," said John Effingham firmly.
Homeward Bound
James Fenimore Cooper
In this case their duty was to turn the offender out at the door.
Memoirs Of The Court Of Marie Antoinette, Queen Of France, Complete
Madame Campan
The babies looked upon the back of the offender as shown in the picture.
Lotus Buds
Amy Carmichael

British Dictionary definitions for offender

offend

verb

to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person)

(tr) to be disagreeable to; disgustthe smell offended him

(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 offender

mid-15c., agent noun from offend (v.). Earlier was offendour (early 15c.), from Anglo-French.

offend

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.