Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     

of·fen·sive

offensive

 
 
pronunciation:
fen sihv
parts of speech:
adjective, noun
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun)
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: unpleasant; disagreeable; repugnant.
The rotting food caused an offensive smell.
synonyms:
disgusting, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, obnoxious, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sickening
antonyms:
innocuous, inoffensive, pleasant
similar words:
abominable, distasteful, foul, gross, noisome, objectionable, odious, putrid, rancid, ugly, unpleasant, unsavory
definition 2: insulting or rude, or causing resentment or anger by being considered such.
The politician's tasteless and offensive joke was reported in the press.Some members of the audience found the crude language of the play offensive.His bigoted comments were offensive to us all.
synonyms:
affronting, galling, insulting, objectionable, obnoxious
similar words:
abusive, aggressive, contemptuous, distasteful, hostile, injurious, insolent, nasty, outrageous, rude
definition 3: of, pertaining to, or designed for attack or scoring.
The army's offensive strategy had failed in the last attack.The offensive team scored a touchdown in the first minutes of play.
synonyms:
belligerent, martial
antonyms:
defensive
similar words:
aggressive, hostile, military, pugnacious, truculent, warlike
definition 4: in sports, designating or pertaining to an individual or team that is seeking to score.
 
similar words:
shooting
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: an attitude or position of attack; attacking side (of an army or sports team).
synonyms:
offense
definition 2: an act of aggression; hostile action; assault.
synonyms:
assault, attack, charge, onslaught, raid
similar words:
aggression, hostility, incursion, invasion, onset, strike
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: offensively (adv.), offensiveness (n.)