offense
Americannoun
-
a violation or breaking of a social or moral rule; transgression; sin.
-
a transgression of the law; misdemeanor.
-
a cause of transgression or wrong.
-
something that offends or displeases.
-
the act of offending or displeasing.
-
the feeling of resentful displeasure caused.
to give offense.
- Synonyms:
- wrath, resentment, umbrage, indignation
- Antonyms:
- pleasure
-
the act of attacking; attack or assault.
weapons of offense.
- Synonyms:
- aggression
- Antonyms:
- defense
-
a person, army, etc., that is attacking.
-
Sports.
-
the players or team unit responsible for attacking or scoring in a game.
-
the players possessing or controlling the ball, puck, etc., or the aspects or period of a game when this obtains.
-
a pattern or style of scoring attack.
single-wing offense; fast-break offense.
-
offensive effectiveness; ability to score.
a total breakdown in offense.
-
-
Archaic. injury, harm, or hurt.
Related Words
See crime.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of offense
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English offence, offense; in part from Middle French offens, from Latin offēnsus “collision, knock,” equivalent to offend(ere) ( see offend) + -tus suffix of verb action; in part from Middle French offense, ultimately from Latin offēnsa, feminine past participle of offendere
Explanation
The part of a team that tries to score points is called the offense. If you play forward on a soccer team, you are on offense. If you offend someone — that is you cause them to be upset because of your actions or words — then you may need to apologize for the offense. After all, you meant no offense when you said that disco was dead. How were you to know the guy still loved the '70s? In the eyes of the law, an offense is a crime.
Vocabulary lists containing offense
Set, Hut! Football Vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Words Football Fans Can Master Easily
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address (1865)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I mean no offense to Bettany or Michael Sheen, who recently signed on to reprise the role for a West End production set for spring of 2027.
From Salon • May 16, 2026
Year 3 in charge of St. John Bosco High’s offense is about to begin for quarterback Koa Malau’ulu, who will be a junior this fall.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
With a series of major upheavals in the past month alone, Roberts has signaled that he is shifting to a two-minute offense.
From Slate • May 13, 2026
“We are reluctant to admit that the Ukrainians are now probably the world leaders on both drone offense and defense,” said Eliot Cohen, a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
He pretended to take offense at Methuselah’s statement.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
