Offensiveness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

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

Meaning & Definition of Offensiveness

Offensiveness (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

Offensiveness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in atrocity, repulsiveness

    similar: atrociousness, atrocity, infamy, loathsomeness, repellency, repugnance, repulsiveness, abusiveness, scurrilousness, distastefulness, obnoxiousness, unpleasantness, reprehensibility, reprehensibleness, exceptionability, objectionableness, unacceptability, undesirability, depravedness, depravity, kinkiness, naughtiness, perverseness, perversion, perversity, pervertedness, wickedness, lechery, immodesty, indecorousness, indelicacy, indelicateness, lowness, unbecomingness, broadness, earthiness, gaminess, raciness, saltiness, suggestiveness, bawdiness, blueness, coarseness, crudeness, crudity, dirt, dirtiness, filth, filthiness, foulness, grossness, impureness, impurity, indecency, lasciviousness, lewdness, nastiness, obscenity, profanity, raunch, raunchiness, ribaldry, smut, smuttiness, vulgarity, wantonness
    opposite: priggery, priggishness, primness, prudery, prudishness, puritanism, correctness, decency, decorousness, decorum, seemliness, appropriateness, fitness, suitability, suitableness, perfection, purity, spotlessness

Related Entry: Offensive (adjective)

Offensive is a different word from Offensiveness. The synonyms below are for offensive, not for offensiveness.

  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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Offensiveness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Offensiveness:

atrociousness, atrocity, infamy, loathsomeness, repellency, repugnance, repulsiveness, abusiveness, scurrilousness, distastefulness, obnoxiousness, unpleasantness, reprehensibility, reprehensibleness, exceptionability, objectionableness, unacceptability, undesirability, depravedness, depravity, kinkiness, naughtiness, perverseness, perversion, perversity, pervertedness, wickedness, lechery, immodesty, indecorousness, indelicacy, indelicateness, lowness, unbecomingness, broadness, earthiness, gaminess, raciness, saltiness, suggestiveness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Offensiveness

Words with the opposite meaning of Offensiveness:

priggery, priggishness, primness, prudery, prudishness, puritanism, correctness, decency, decorousness, decorum, seemliness, appropriateness, fitness, suitability, suitableness, perfection, purity, spotlessness

Word Forms of Offensiveness

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

Origin & Etymology of Offensiveness

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Offensiveness

What does "Offensiveness" mean?

"Offensiveness" means making attack, aggressive. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: making attack, aggressive.

What is another word for "Offensiveness"?

Other words for "Offensiveness" include atrociousness, atrocity, infamy, loathsomeness, repellency, repugnance, repulsiveness and abusiveness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Offensiveness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Offensiveness"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Offensiveness". Common alternatives include atrociousness, atrocity, infamy, loathsomeness, repellency, repugnance, repulsiveness, abusiveness, scurrilousness and distastefulness.

What is the opposite of "Offensiveness"?

Antonyms of "Offensiveness" include priggery, priggishness, primness, prudery, prudishness, puritanism, correctness and decency.

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

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

How do you pronounce "Offensiveness"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Offensiveness"?

"Offensiveness" comes from 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.

What is another word for "Offensiveness" meaning "as in atrocity, repulsiveness"?

When "Offensiveness" (noun) means as in atrocity, repulsiveness, synonyms include atrociousness, atrocity, infamy, loathsomeness, repellency and repugnance. Opposites in this sense include priggery, priggishness, primness and prudery.