offense

or of·fence

[ uh-fens or for 7–9, aw-fens, of-ens ]

/ əˈfɛns or for 7–9, ˈɔ fɛns, ˈɒf ɛns /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR offense ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

the act of attacking; attack or assault: weapons of offense.

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.

QUIZZES

PRACTICE SOME ESCAPISM WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

We salute you if you remember all the doovers from Word of the Day between May 25 and May 31!

Question 1 of 7

salute

to call out to in order to stop, attract attention, ask aid, etc.

to wield power; exercise rule.

to express respect or praise for; honor; commend.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of offense

1325–75; Middle English offence, offense; in part < Middle French offens < Latin offēnsus collision, knock, equivalent to offend(ere) (see offend) + -tus suffix of v. action; in part < Middle French offense ≪ Latin offēnsa, feminine past participle of offendere

SYNONYMS FOR offense

1, 2 trespass, felony, fault.

6 umbrage, resentment, wrath, indignation.

7 aggression.

8 besiegers, attackers, enemy, foe.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR offense ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR offense

6 pleasure.

7 defense.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR offense ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for offense

1, 2. See crime.

OTHER WORDS FROM offense

self-of·fense, noun

Words nearby offense

offcast, offcut, offenbach, offence, offend, offense, offenseless, offensive, offer, offer document, offer price

Example sentences from the Web for offense

But the fun starts when conservatives stop playing defense and go on offense.
Steve Scalise and the Right’s Ridiculous Racial Blame Game|Michael Tomasky|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Of how incredibly petty the offense can be and how insanely disproportionate the retaliation can be.
Of Gamers, Gates, and Disco Demolition: The Roots of Reactionary Rage|Arthur Chu|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Any critique may be treated as a security issue or an offense against the faith.
Forget About a Kindler Gentler Iran|Nina Strochlic|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His only offense was a moral one, though none of his critics could possibly know the terms and nuances of his marriage.
Too Late To 'Pologize For NSA Revenge Porn Leak|Lizzie Crocker|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Offense V.a: Illegal possession or use of drugs and/or alcohol and/or drug paraphernalia.
Is Sex Assault a Crime in the Ivy League?|Olivia Nuzzi|May 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whatever the offense was, it was in the flesh, the result of weakness rather than malice.
Explanation of Catholic Morals|John H. Stapleton
This very correctness was part of the offense he gave his rivals and their followers.
Martin Van Buren|Edward M. Shepard
It is a common occurrence to shoot down men here for any offense whatever.
Tenting on the Plains|Elizabeth B. Custer
But when he was promoted adjutant over the heads of many worthy lieutenants, Col. Brown added greatly to the offense.
Company G|A. R. (Albert Rowe) Barlow
This checkup determined which slaves were late or who had committed some offense late on the day before or during the night.
Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States|Work Projects Administration

Idioms and Phrases with offense

offense

see no offense; take offense.

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

offense

or of·fence

noun

QUIZZES

PRACTICE SOME ESCAPISM WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Origin of offense

SYNONYMS FOR offense

ANTONYMS FOR offense

synonym study for offense

OTHER WORDS FROM offense

Words nearby offense

Example sentences from the Web for offense

Idioms and Phrases with offense

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

offense

or of·fence

noun

QUIZZES

PRACTICE SOME ESCAPISM WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Origin of offense

SYNONYMS FOR offense

ANTONYMS FOR offense

synonym study for offense

OTHER WORDS FROM offense

Words nearby offense

Words related to offense

Example sentences from the Web for offense

Idioms and Phrases with offense