Offensive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ə-ˈfen(t)-siv/ of·fen·sive

Meaning & Definition of Offensive

Offensive (adjective)

  1. making attack, aggressive
  2. of, relating to, or designed for attack
  3. of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or contest; also, of or relating to a team in possession of the ball or puck

Offensive (noun)

  1. the act of an attacking party
  2. attack

Offensive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

    "I find your disrespectful attitude toward religion very offensive"

    "the smell of rotting food is quite offensive"

    similar: abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly
    related: exceptionable, objectionable, brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish, sick, sickish, sickly, terrible, unspeakable, vile, off-putting, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, barbarous, unchristian, uncivilized, ungodly, unholy, distressing, disturbing, upsetting
    opposite: innocuous, inoffensive
    near: acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet, welcome, unexceptionable, unobjectionable, healthful, healthy, restorative, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

  2. provoking or likely to provoke protest

    "insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless"

    similar: censurable, exceptionable, objectionable, obnoxious, reprehensible
    related: unacceptable, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, disagreeable, displeasing, distasteful, unpleasant, bad, execrable, lousy, miserable, terrible, unspeakable, wretched, atrocious, infamous, abhorrent, disgusting, gross, loathsome, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sickening, sickish, vile, naughty, wicked, debasing, perverted, profane, off, off-color, racy, salty, suggestive, indecent, indecorous, unbecoming, earthy, unprintable, bawdy, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, lewd, nasty, obscene, smutty, vulgar, blamable, blameworthy, lascivious, pornographic, ribald, scurrilous
    opposite: inoffensive, unobjectionable
    near: acceptable, agreeable, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, easy, enjoyable, felicitous, good, grateful, gratifying, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, relishable, satisfying, welcome, approved, endorsed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported, becoming, correct, decent, decorous, exemplary, proper, respectable, seemly, blameless, commendable, creditable, immaculate, perfect, pure, spotless, politically correct

Offensive (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act or action of setting upon with force or violence

    "the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow"

    similar: aggression, assault, attack, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, offense, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strike
    related: ambuscade, ambush, counteraggression, counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike, sally, sortie, envelopment, flanking, breakthrough, foray, incursion, invasion, pillage, ravage, sack, air raid, bombardment, bombing, siege, storm, barrage, cannonade, fusillade, hail, salvo, volley, whammy
    near: defense, defensive, guard, shield, opposition, resistance, protection, security, shelter

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Offensive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Offensive:

abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly, censurable, exceptionable, objectionable, reprehensible, aggression, assault, attack

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Offensive

Words with the opposite meaning of Offensive:

innocuous, inoffensive, unobjectionable

Related Words for Offensive

brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish, sick, sickish

Near Antonyms of Offensive

acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet

Word Forms of Offensive

Derived words: offensively (adverb), offensiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Offensive

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French offensif, borrowed from Medieval Latin offensīvus "used for attacking, causing injury," from Latin offensus, past participle of offendere "to strike against, break a rule, offend" + -īvus -ive

First known use: circa 1564

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Offensive

Words & Phrases Containing Offensive

on the offensive, take the offensive

Frequently Asked Questions about Offensive

What does "Offensive" mean?

"Offensive" means making attack, aggressive. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: making attack, aggressive. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Offensive"?

Other words for "Offensive" include abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful and evil. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Offensive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Offensive"?

There are 162 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Offensive". Common alternatives include abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul and fulsome.

What is the opposite of "Offensive"?

Antonyms of "Offensive" include innocuous, inoffensive and unobjectionable. Near antonyms include acceptable, agreeable, alluring and appealing.

How do you use "Offensive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Offensive" in a sentence: "I find your disrespectful attitude toward religion very offensive"; "the smell of rotting food is quite offensive"; "insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless".

Is "Offensive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Offensive" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Offensive" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Offensive" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Offensive"?

"Offensive" is pronounced /ə-ˈfen(t)-siv/ and divided into syllables as of·fen·sive.