offensive
[uh-fen-siv or for 4, 5, aw-fen-, of-en-]
- causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying: offensive television commercials.
- unpleasant or disagreeable to the sense: an offensive odor.
- repugnant to the moral sense, good taste, or the like; insulting: an offensive remark; an offensive joke.
- pertaining to offense or attack: the offensive movements of their troops.
- characterized by attack; aggressive: offensive warfare.
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- the position or attitude of aggression or attack: to take the offensive.
- an aggressive movement or attack: a carefully planned naval offensive.
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Origin of offensive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for offensive on Thesaurus.com1. displeasing, vexatious, vexing, unpleasant. See hateful. 2, 3. distasteful, disgusting, revolting, repellent. 3. repulsive, shocking. 4. invading, attacking.
Usage note
The label Offensive is used in this dictionary to indicate that a particular term or definition is likely to be perceived as insulting by a listener or reader—an affront to that particular individual or to an entire group of like individuals—whether or not an offense was intended. Offensive is often paired with the label Disparaging used to indicate that those people who use the offensive term do so to offend intentionally.
Antonyms
1, 2. pleasing. 4. defensive.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for offensiveness
Contemporary Examples
Beinart highlights two of them: Gaza and the offensiveness of baby-counting.
In his beyond-the-pale derision and offensiveness, he turned it into a night that could never have been an Oscar ceremony.
The Gaudy, Gauche and Sometimes Corrupt Greatness of the Golden GlobesRichard Rushfield
January 16, 2012
Beyond the offensiveness, Terry laments the muddled messaging on such an important topic.
Historical Examples
"Nay, that is no answer," he cried, overlooking my offensiveness.
The Shame of MotleyRaphael Sabatini
Lastly he turned to me to complete this gross work of offensiveness.
The Strolling SaintRaphael Sabatini
But the English, when translated, was bald and blunt to the verge of offensiveness.
Beauchamp's Career, CompleteGeorge Meredith
But it was the Baby who saw what was to be done if his parent was to be delivered from his own offensiveness.
The CreatorsMay Sinclair
You must apologize for its offensiveness, or you will be arrested, sir.
Carnac's Folly, CompleteGilbert Parker
offensive
- unpleasant or disgusting, as to the senses
- causing anger or annoyance; insulting
- for the purpose of attack rather than defence
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- the offensive an attitude or position of aggression
- an assault, attack, or military initiative, esp a strategic one
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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 offensiveness
offensive
adj.
"attacking" (1540s), "insulting" (1570s), both from Middle French offensif (16c.) and directly from Medieval Latin offensivus, from Latin offens-, past participle stem of offendere "offend" (see offend). Related: Offensively; offensiveness.
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offensive
n.
"condition of attacking, aggressive action," 1720, from offensive (adj.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper