offensiveof‧fen‧sive1 /əˈfensɪv/ ●●○ adjective 
I found her remarks deeply offensive.offensive to crude jokes that are offensive to women offensive behaviour► see thesaurus at rude2formal very unpleasant: an offensive smell3[only before noun] for attacking → defensive1(1): Jan was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon. The troops took up offensive positions.4American English relating to getting points and winning a game, rather than stopping the other team from getting points OPP defensive: the Jets’ offensive strategy—offensively adverb: Rick’s remarks were offensively racist.—offensiveness noun [uncountable]
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- offensive weapons
- Apparently some viewers found the show offensive.
- Government troops took up offensive positions.
- the offensive player of the year
- The BBC received a number of complaints about the offensive remarks made during the interview.
- These pornographic magazines are deeply offensive to women.
- Throughout the football game a small section of the crowd was chanting offensive slogans.
- Your comments are offensive to all Jews.
- He is particularly curious about the offensive line, which was beset by injuries and poor performances last season.
- He was convicted of carrying an offensive weapon and got a 28-day suspended sentence and £200 fine.
- How could he be so offensive as to stare at the chap's disfigured face, he wondered.
- The 49ers' first four offensive plays included an interception, a sack and a lost fumble.
- This was offensive to Hinduism, his critics yelled.
- Walsh returns as an administrative assistant to Seifert and will work closely with second-year offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.
THESAURUS
not following the rules of good social behaviour or treating other people with a lack of respect: · It’s rude to interrupt.· He’s the rudest man I’ve ever met.· rude remarks about her stomach
not following the rules of good social behaviour. Impolite sounds rather formal: · It is impolite to stare.· It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full of food.
British English, smart/sassy American English behaving in a way that is a little rude, especially when this is amusing or annoying – used especially about children: · a cheeky grin· Let go, you cheeky monkey (=cheeky child)!· Don’t get smart with me!
saying things that are likely to upset or embarrass someone, without intending to: · a tactless remark· How could you be so tactless?
speaking or behaving in a way that is likely to upset or offend someone: · His remarks are offensive to African-Americans.· offensive language
speaking or behaving in a way that is very rude and offensive to someone: · comments that are insulting to women· The article was full of insulting language.
formal rather rude. Discourteous sounds very formal and is often used when talking about being careful not to upset someone’s feelings: · He did not wish to appear discourteous towards his host.· It would seem discourteous to refuse her offer.
(also bad-mannered) especially written behaving in a rude way, especially because you have never been taught how to behave politely: · Ill-mannered movie-goers talked throughout the entire picture.· It was very bad-mannered.
not showing the proper respect for someone or something: · I felt her comments were disrespectful to all the people who have worked so hard on this project.
formal not showing a proper respect for someone, especially by asking or talking about subjects that you do not have a right to know about: · an impertinent question about his private life· an impertinent young man· Would it be impertinent to ask how old you are?
formal behaving in a way that is deliberately very rude to someone in authority: · The girl’s only response was an insolent stare.· Don’t be so insolent!
formal rude, and having no respect for people who are older or more important: · The boy gave an impudent smile.
showing a lack of respect for someone or something who people are supposed to respect – used especially about comedy programmes and newspaper articles: · an irreverent look at the week’s events· his irreverent sense of humour
Longman Language Activatorwords for describing behaviour, remarks etc that offend people · Throughout the football game a small section of the crowd was chanting offensive slogans.· The BBC received a number of complaints about the offensive remarks made during the interview.deeply offensive (=very offensive) · These pornographic magazines are deeply offensive to women.offensive to · Your comments are offensive to all Jews.
behaviour, remarks etc that are insulting offend someone a lot because they show a lack of respect for them or for their ability, honesty etc: · It's insulting when people assume I must be a racist because I'm from the South.deeply insulting (=very insulting): · I find your criticism deeply insulting.insulting to: · advice that is extremely insulting to unemployed people
to offend a particular person or group of people by showing little respect for their intelligence, ability, beliefs etc: · Leaders described the mosque's destruction as an insult to Muslims.be an insult to somebody's intelligence/ability etc: · The lesson was awful. It was an insult to our intelligence.· If I didn't finish this meal it would be an insult to your superb cooking.
something that is objectionable is likely to offend people because it is morally unacceptable or very unpleasant: · I thought the bedroom scenes were pretty objectionable and unnecessary.· Our goal is to get rid of many of the objectionable features of capitalism.highly/deeply objectionable: · I find it highly objectionable to have to sit near people who are smoking.
WORD SETSaction stations, nounaide-de-camp, nounairborne, adjectiveaircraft carrier, nounairlift, nounallied, adjectivearmour, nounarms control, nounarms race, nounarray, verbassault course, nounAWOL, adjectivebalance of power, nounbandmaster, nounbandsman, nounbase, nounbattle, nounbattle, verbbattle cry, nounbattlefield, nounbattlements, nounbeachhead, nounbivouac, nounblackout, nounblast, verbblitz, nounblockade, nounblockade, verbblockhouse, nounbloodshed, nounbody bag, nounbody count, nounbomb, verbbombard, verbbombardment, nounbomb disposal, nounboot camp, nounbowman, nounbreastplate, nounbridgehead, nounbunker, nouncall-up, nouncannonade, nouncapability, nouncaptain, nouncapture, nouncarrier, nouncashier, verbcenotaph, nounchief of staff, nouncitation, nouncivil defence, nounC.O., nouncommand, nouncommand, verbcommandant, nouncommander, nouncommander in chief, nouncommand post, nouncommissariat, nouncommissary, nouncommission, nouncommissioned officer, nounconquer, verbconquest, nounconscientious objector, nounconscript, verbconscript, nounconscription, nounconvoy, verbcookhouse, nounCorp., corporal, nouncorps, nouncounterinsurgency, nouncounterintelligence, nouncountermand, verbcounter-revolution, nouncourt-martial, nouncourt-martial, verbcross, noundawn raid, noundeath camp, noundemilitarize, verbdemobilize, verbdeploy, verbdetonate, verbdisarm, verbdisarmament, noundispatch, noundraft board, noundraft card, noundraft dodger, noundraftee, noundress uniform, noundrum major, noundump, nounechelon, nounencamp, verbenemy, nounengage, verbengagement, nounenlist, verbenlisted, adjectiveexchange, nounex-serviceman, nounex-servicewoman, nounfield, verbfirst lieutenant, nounfirst strike, nounflak jacket, nounflash, nounfort, nounfortress, nounfoxhole, nounFPO, front, noungas mask, noungeneral headquarters, nounGHQ, nounguardhouse, nounheadquarters, nounhigh command, nounHQ, nounincursion, nounindefensible, adjectiveinsignia, nouninstallation, nouninsubordination, nounintelligence, nouninternment, nouninvade, verbinvader, nouninvasion, nounkit bag, nounKP, nounlieutenant, nounline, nounMaj., major, nounmajor general, nounman, nounmarch, verbmarch, nounmarch-past, nounmarshal, nounmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmess, nounmess, verbmilitarism, nounmilitarized, adjectiveMilitary Academy, nounMilitary Cross, nounmilitary service, nounmilitia, nounmilitiaman, nounminuteman, nounmission, nounMP, nounmutineer, nounmutinous, adjectivemutiny, nounnational service, nounNATO, nounNCO, nounno-man's-land, nounnon-aggression, nounnon-aligned, adjectivenon-combatant, nounobjective, nounobservation post, nounoccupation, nounoccupy, verboffence, nounoffensive, adjectiveoffensive, nounofficer, nounoperation, nounorderly, nounoutflank, verboutpost, nounoverthrow, verboverwhelm, verbpact, nounpadre, nounparade, nounparamilitary, adjectiveparapet, nounpartisan, nounpassword, nounpatrol, nounperilous, adjectiveperiscope, nounpillbox, nounpincer movement, nounpost, verbPOW, nounpre-war, adjectiveprisoner, nounprisoner of war, nounPurple Heart, nounpush, nounputsch, nounPX, nounquarter, verbquartermaster, nounquell, verbR & R, nounraid, nounraid, verbrank, nounrebellion, nounrecapture, verbreconnaissance, nounreconnoitre, verbrecruit, verbrecruit, nounreinforce, verbrelieve, verbRemembrance Day, nounrepel, verbrequisition, verbretake, verbretire, verbretreat, verbretreat, nounreview, nounreview, verbribbon, nounsabre-rattling, nounsally, nounsalute, verbsalute, nounsalvo, nounsamurai, nounscorched earth policy, nounscout, nounscout, verbscramble, verbsecond lieutenant, nounsentinel, nounsentry, nounsentry box, nounsergeant, nounsergeant major, nounserviceman, nounservicewoman, nounSgt., shell, verbshelling, nounsiege, nounskirmish, nounstaff officer, nounstaging area, nounstandard-issue, adjectivestar, nounstation, nounstation, verbstrategic, adjectivestrategist, nounstrategy, nounstripe, nounstronghold, nounsuperpower, nounsuppress, verbsurgical strike, nounsurrender, verbsurrender, nountactical, adjectivetarget, nountarget, verbtask force, nountattoo, nountheatre, nountrench warfare, nountripwire, nountruce, nounturret, noununarmed, adjectiveunoccupied, adjectivevalour, nounveteran, nounvolunteer, nounvolunteer, verbwar chest, nounwar crime, nounwar cry, nounwar dance, nounwar effort, nounwarfare, nounwarhorse, nounwarlike, adjectivewarlord, nounwar memorial, nounwarmonger, nounwarrant officer, nounwarring, adjectivewarrior, nounwar-torn, adjectivewar widow, nounwar zone, nounwounded, adjectivezero hour, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I found her remarks deeply offensive. Jan was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The press launched a vicious attack on the president. obnoxious odours from a factory
I found her remarks deeply offensive. Jan was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon. The press launched a vicious attack on the president. obnoxious odours from a factory (=one that can be used to attack someone illegally)· He was charged with carrying an offensive weapon.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Marriage experts have slammed Laura's ideas as offensive and pandering to male chauvinism.· To give him an answer to it would have been as offensive as the question.
· I have found the way I have been treated by qualified and unqualified people patronising and presumptuous and deeply offensive.· To entertain the idea that they are matters which are open to discussion is in fact deeply offensive.· He found it deeply offensive to think of Alice-his beautiful Alice - being rejected by anyone.
· It was, though, more offensive than charm.· But this year an even more offensive marketing ploy is keeping me away from my Christmas shopping.· He had often wondered why he found it more offensive and ghoulish than the autopsy itself.· The music mix was more offensive out in the open.
· Lately, Democrats like to believe, the excesses of the Republican Congress have been particularly offensive to women.· Legionnaires on Thursday requested removal of four works that they found particularly offensive.· Mrs Gore even risked the wrath of the record industry by campaigning to have warning labels put on particularly offensive records.· They said the proposal to eliminate this kind of coverage is particularly offensive.
· All that need be proved is that the matter is of a certain type and the manner of presentation patently offensive.
· Paul Verhoeven has a track record of movies so offensive they are perversely beguiling.· It could have been possible for Smith to tell this story without being so offensive.· The X-rays that had proved so offensive and shown up that considerable blob had been taken more than three weeks previously.· We now know that the watery slime so offensive to human sensibilities serves as an incubator for a variety of wildlife.· How could he be so offensive as to stare at the chap's disfigured face, he wondered.
NOUN· Ernie Zampese is their third offensive coordinator in five years.· Now, with the 49ers at their 18-yard line, offensive coordinator Marc Trestman called the screen pass.· Dungy recently hired David Shula as offensive coordinator.· Auburn offensive coordinator Rodney Allison said.· It was a good call by much-criticized offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, and the 49ers were in business.· He did not admit to authorship until offensive coordinator Marc Trestman mentioned it.
· The appellant had used offensive language to a 12 year old girl who had run home and complained to her father.· For offensive language, Mayor Brown is in a class of one.
· And despite giving up five sacks to Seattle, the offensive line has been a pleasant surprise.· This line should match up well with the offensive lines on the 49ers' championship teams.· The offensive line was hit particularly hard in Atlanta.· For the first time this season, the 49ers made a change in their starting offensive line.· They have that massive offensive line, and it has played well all year.· But our offensive line is coming together.· It seemed like down there in the second game, our offensive line just overpowered them.· If Brown is able to start, that solves one of four problems on the offensive line.
· The moves were not unexpected for the salary-cap strapped Panthers, who also released offensive lineman James Dexter.· Former Cardinals offensive lineman Bernard Dafney signed with Pittsburgh.· Joe Rudolph, an offensive lineman, also is scheduled for a visit.
· The Cardinals also think this is a deep draft for offensive linemen, and that a good one would be available later.· They ignore offensive linemen and shortchange defensive brilliance.· There were live interviews during the game with offensive linemen.· There are very few offensive linemen who can come in as rookies and play well.
· Only those displaying offensive materials in the windows of multi-storey apartment buildings would seem to be safe from conviction. 3.· I can now see that old people are a real pain, wandering around in their leather jackets and publishing offensive material.· Some companies, such as Universal, have set up lyric committees to prevent the release of offensive material.
· In late June the army again declared the suspension of offensive operations, until July 6.· The war was characterised by mobile offensive operations.
· Chuck Levy, meanwhile, was in for 40 offensive plays and made the most of them.· Sunday, in the third quarter, the 49ers called a stretch of 14 pass plays in 17 offensive plays.· Jody keeps Sally in for twenty-three minutes, watching her pick up the offensive plays and bluff her way through the defense.· The 49ers' first four offensive plays included an interception, a sack and a lost fumble.
· There are many great offensive players in the game right now, maybe because the pitching is so awful.· You have a defender, you have an offensive player.· When the Bruins avoided turnovers, they often looked to Henderson, their best half-court offensive player.
· Shareef Abdur-Rahim had five offensive rebounds in the half.· On one occasion he had been trying to copy the way McKelvey took an offensive rebound and turned it into a basket.· Oregon State had two offensive rebounds against Cal, and both were team rebounds.· We talk about working on boxing out and we box out, then they get 10 offensive rebounds.· We gave them 20 offensive rebounds.· Then Kris Johnson converted an offensive rebound, and Bailey hit two free throws.
· In overtime, Dallas offensive tackle Larry Allen changed his mind at the last moment and called heads instead of tails.· The fifth, reserve offensive tackle Charles McRae, has decided to retire from football following a disappointing six-year career.· A possible comparison: Davis came here rated as the second offensive tackle, behind Florida's Kenyatta Walker.· Most significantly in the short range, it could leave 49ers' offensive tackle Steve Wallace twisting in the wind.· Massive offensive tackle Erik Williams must be paid a $ 5 million bonus this week or he becomes a free agent.
· He appealed to Khrushchev to remove the offensive weapons under United Nations supervision.· Two Haverhill men have been charged with threatening behaviour and possession of offensive weapons.· Police had considered taking action against David as they said he was carrying an offensive weapon his bendy rubber truncheon.· The commuter was prosecuted, found guilty of carrying an offensive weapon, and fined.· Joshua Morris stood in line waiting to be searched for an offensive weapon.· It says it's an offence for anyone to be carrying an offensive weapon.· Moreover, in the 1930s offensive weapons were openly and legally sold.
WORD FAMILYnounoffense/offenseoffenderoffensiveoffensivenessadjectiveoffensive ≠ inoffensiveoffendedoffendingverboffendadverboffensively
1very rude or insulting and likely to upset people OPP inoffensive: I found her remarks deeply offensive.offensive to crude jokes that are offensive to women offensive behaviour► see thesaurus at rude2formal very unpleasant: an offensive smell3[only before noun] for attacking → defensive1(1): Jan was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon. The troops took up offensive positions.4American English relating to getting points and winning a game, rather than stopping the other team from getting points OPP defensive: the Jets’ offensive strategy—offensively adverb: Rick’s remarks were offensively racist.—offensiveness noun [uncountable]