offensive
[ uh-fen-siv or for 4, 5, aw-fen-, of-en- ]
/ əˈfɛn sɪv or for 4, 5, ˈɔ fɛn-, ˈɒf ɛn- /
adjective
noun
the position or attitude of aggression or attack: to take the offensive.
an aggressive movement or attack: a carefully planned naval offensive.
RELATED WORDS
controllable, gentle, guiltless, innocent, innocuous, inoffensive, inoperative, kind, manageable, naive, powerless, reliable, safe, sanitary, simple, soft, sound, sure, trustworthy, unobjectionable
Nearby words
- offend,
- offender,
- offending,
- offense,
- offenseless,
- offensively,
- offer,
- offer document,
- offer price,
- offering
Origin of offensive
SYNONYMS FOR offensive
1. 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for unoffensive
Meanwhile, they had suddenly dropped their fusils, which immediately resumed their unoffensive position in the shoulder belt.
The Guide of the Desert|Gustave Aimard
offensive
/ (əˈfɛnsɪv) /
adjective
unpleasant or disgusting, as to the senses
causing anger or annoyance; insulting
for the purpose of attack rather than defence
noun
the offensive an attitude or position of aggression
an assault, attack, or military initiative, esp a strategic one
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper