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offense

of·fense

offense

 
 
pronunciation:
fens [or] aw fens  for sense 5 and 6
features:
Word Combinations (noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a violation of a law, rule, or standard of conduct; crime, sin, or breach of good conduct.
After the drunk driver's third offense, the judge sent him to jail.She confessed all her offenses to the priest.Failing to attend his uncle's funeral was considered an offense by the rest of the family.She maintained that she'd committed no offense and therefore refused to apologize.
synonyms:
breach, crime, infraction, misdeed, sin, transgression, trespass
similar words:
error, malfeasance, violation
definition 2: a relatively minor violation of criminal law.
Parking in a loading zone is a traffic offense, but it is not a felony.
synonyms:
misdemeanor
similar words:
grievance, infraction, infringement, petit larceny, petty larceny, violation
definition 3: something that offends or displeases.
His flippant manner was an offense to the honor and solemnity of the occasion.
synonyms:
affront, indignity, insult
similar words:
abuse, embarrassment, insolence, outrage, slap, snub, violation
definition 4: the feeling, usually of anger or outrage, caused by being offended.
My offense at those insulting remarks was not easily erased.
synonyms:
resentment, umbrage
similar words:
affront, embarrassment, huff, humiliation, indignation, miff, outrage, pique, violation
definition 5: the act or capability of attacking, as in military conflict or sports. (Cf. defense.)
With the arrival of the additional troops, the army was ready to begin its offense.The coach felt that the team needed to strengthen its offense.
synonyms:
aggression, assault, attack, charge, onset, raid
similar words:
onslaught, readiness
definition 6: the military force or sports team that attacks. (Cf. defense.)
The team lost the game because of the failure of its offense.
synonyms:
offensive
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