offense

British, of·fence

[uh-fens, aw-fens, of-ens]

noun

1. a violation or breaking of a social or moral rule; transgression; sin.

   Synonyms: fault, felony, trespass

2. a transgression of the law; misdemeanor.

   Synonyms: fault, felony, trespass

3. a cause of transgression or wrong.

4. something that offends or displeases.

5. the act of offending or displeasing.

6. the feeling of resentful displeasure caused.

   to give offense.

   Synonyms: wrath, resentment, umbrage, indignation
   Antonyms: pleasure

7. the act of attacking; attack or assault.

   weapons of offense.

   Synonyms: aggression
   Antonyms: defense

8. a person, army, etc., that is attacking.

   Synonyms: foe, foe, enemy

9. Sports.

   1. the players or team unit responsible for attacking or scoring in a game.

   2. the players possessing or controlling the ball, puck, etc., or the aspects or period of a game when this obtains.

   3. a pattern or style of scoring attack.

      single-wing offense; fast-break offense.

   4. offensive effectiveness; ability to score.

      a total breakdown in offense.

10. Archaic.,  injury, harm, or hurt.

Other Word Forms

• self-offense noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of offense¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English offence, offense; in part from Middle French offens, from Latin offēnsus “collision, knock,” equivalent to offend(ere) ( offend ) + -tus suffix of verb action; in part from Middle French offense, ultimately from Latin offēnsa, feminine past participle of offendere

Idioms and Phrases

see no offense; take offense.

Synonym Study

See crime.

Example Sentences

Running back Kyren Williams rushed for a touchdown and tight end Davis Allen caught a touchdown pass for an offense that saw the debut of receiver Davante Adams.

From Los Angeles Times

Her story is a rags-to-riches tale, and her offenses don’t negate the struggles of her past.

From Salon

Noah Valdez is a top athlete on offense and defense.

From Los Angeles Times

USC’s offense racked up a string of highlight plays Saturday, rolling to a blowout win over former Trojans coach Clay Helton’s Georgia Southern team.

From Los Angeles Times

The new authorities swiftly loosened Assad-era restrictions, deluging the market with cheaper imports and lifting a moratorium that made dealing with dollars a criminal offense.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breach 
• crime 
• infraction 
• misdeed 
• misdemeanor 
• sin 
• transgression 
• wrongdoing