offensive
[ uh-fen-siv or, for 4, 5, aw-fen-, of-en- ]
/ əˈfɛn sɪv or, for 4, 5, ˈɔ fɛn-, ˈɒf ɛn- /
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adjective
noun
the position or attitude of aggression or attack: to take the offensive.
an aggressive movement or attack: a carefully planned naval offensive.
OTHER WORDS FOR offensive
4 invading, attacking.
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Origin of offensive
synonym study for offensive
1. See hateful.
usage note for offensive
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, which is used to indicate that those people who use the offensive term do so to offend intentionally.
OTHER WORDS FROM offensive
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use offensive in a sentence
Meanwhile, they had suddenly dropped their fusils, which immediately resumed their unoffensive position in the shoulder belt.
The Guide of the Desert|Gustave Aimard
British Dictionary definitions for offensive
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
Derived forms of offensive
offensively, adverboffensiveness, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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