offense
noun
of·fense ə-ˈfen(t)s 
especially for sense 3
ˈä-ˌfen(t)s ˈȯ-
variants or offence
1
: something that outrages the moral or physical senses
His conduct is an offense to public decency.
Such screaming is an offense to my ears.
2
a
: the act of displeasing or affronting
no offense intended and none taken, I hope
b
: the state of being insulted or morally outraged
takes offense at the slightest criticism
we ought not … to give offense by sexist words or phrases
J. J. Kilpatrick
J. J. Kilpatrick3
a
: the offensive team or members of a team playing offensive positions
The stronger offense won the game.
b
: the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score
The quarterback's passing success was the team's edge in offense.
c
: scoring ability
d
: the act of attacking : assault
weapons of offense
4
a
: an infraction of law
was stopped by the police for a traffic offense
especially : misdemeanor
had a record of petty offenses
b
: a breach of a moral or social code : sin, misdeed
was tolerant of his youthful offenses
5
a
archaic : a cause or occasion of sin : stumbling block
b
obsolete : an act of stumbling
offenseless
ə-ˈfen(t)s-ləs
adjective especially for sense 3 ˈä-ˌfen(t)s-
ˈȯ-
Synonyms
- breach
- crime
- debt
- error
- lawbreaking
- malefaction
- misdeed
- misdoing
- sin
- transgression
- trespass
- violation
- wrongdoing
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He was found guilty and fined $250 for each offense. Penalties for a first offense range from fines to jail time. Our team has the best offense in the league. The quarterback directs the offense. The team needs some work on its offense. The team plays good offense. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Remember, on offense last week OSU was down three receivers and the running back room has only one scholarship running back — true freshman Dallan Hayden — behind TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2022 Washington, like Michigan State, is 2-0 and in those wins have scored 97 points, a sign that the recent struggles on offense might be a thing of the past with the new regime. USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 This week saw efforts from Republicans aiming to put their party on offense. Rick Klein, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2022 On Thursday, the Tigers struggled on offense in the first period – scoring on a safety following an errant snap that Lee quarterback Bryson McGrew fell on in the end zone just 51 seconds into the game. Al.com Reports, al, 15 Sep. 2022 At this age, our defensive pressure causes havoc on the offense. Emmett Hall, Sun Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Liberated from the difficult task of having to defend policies and ideas, Republicans play exclusively on offense. Michael Sokolove, The New Republic, 15 Sep. 2022 D'Andre Swift had more rushing yards than all but two players in the NFL last week, but the Detroit Lions still think Swift has more to offer on offense. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 15 Sep. 2022 While some Republicans have taken a defensive posture, others are going on offense. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 See More
Nathan Baird, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2022 Washington, like Michigan State, is 2-0 and in those wins have scored 97 points, a sign that the recent struggles on offense might be a thing of the past with the new regime. USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 This week saw efforts from Republicans aiming to put their party on offense. Rick Klein, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2022 On Thursday, the Tigers struggled on offense in the first period – scoring on a safety following an errant snap that Lee quarterback Bryson McGrew fell on in the end zone just 51 seconds into the game. Al.com Reports, al, 15 Sep. 2022 At this age, our defensive pressure causes havoc on the offense. Emmett Hall, Sun Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Liberated from the difficult task of having to defend policies and ideas, Republicans play exclusively on offense. Michael Sokolove, The New Republic, 15 Sep. 2022 D'Andre Swift had more rushing yards than all but two players in the NFL last week, but the Detroit Lions still think Swift has more to offer on offense. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 15 Sep. 2022 While some Republicans have taken a defensive posture, others are going on offense. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English offence, offense "assault, breach of law, causing of displeasure," borrowed from Anglo-French offense, borrowed from Latin offensa "encounter with an obstacle, injury, wrong," noun derivative from feminine of offensus, past participle of offendere "to strike against, break a rule, displease" — more at offend
Note: The English senses "act of stumbling, stumbling block" are dependent on the Biblical passage "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" (Isaiah 8:14, 1 Peter 2:8 in the Authorized/King James Version), itself dependent on the literal sense "stumble upon" of Latin offendere and its derivatives (cf. Vulgate "lapis offensionis et petra scandali").
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5b
Phrases Containing offense
Kids Definition
offense
noun
of·fense
variants or offence
ə-ˈfens
1
: something done that hurts feelings or insults
2
: wrongdoing, sin
3
: the act of hurting feelings or insulting
4
: a team or the part of a team that attempts to score in a game
5
: an act of attacking : assault
Legal Definition
offense
noun
of·fense
variants or offence
ə-ˈfens
1
: a violation of the law
especially : a criminal act
nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy U.S. Constitution amend. V
see also lesser included offense U.S. Constitution amend. V 2
in the civil law of Louisiana : an intentional unlawful act that causes damage to another and for which the law imposes an obligation for damages compare quasi contract at contract, quasi-offense
Note: Breach of contract, offenses, quasi-offenses, and quasi contracts are the bases for civil liability under Louisiana civil law. Offenses and quasi-offenses are comparable to common-law torts.
offenses
noun
variants or offences
1
as in crimes
a breaking of a moral or legal code wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- crimes
- violations
- sins
- transgressions
- misdeeds
- wrongdoings
- errors
- debts
- trespasses
- malefactions
- misdoings
- felonies
- misdemeanors
- breaches
- lawbreakings
- infringements
- peccadilloes
- misconducts
- immoralities
- foibles
- hate crimes
- criminalities
- corruptions
- bias crimes
- iniquities
- abuses
- depravities
- debaucheries
- misfeasances
- illegalities
- faults
- vices
- peccadillos
- falls
- breaks
- downfalls
- descents
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- innocences
- noncrimes
- moralities
- virtues
- impeccabilities
- irreproachabilities
2
as in assaults
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence combat casualties grew enormously as the weapons of offense became far more technologically advanced than defensive armor Synonyms & Similar Words
- assaults
- offensives
- attacks
- aggressions
- raids
- onslaughts
- attempts
- blitzes
- charges
- blitzkriegs
- onsets
- rushes
- strikes
- descents
- counteroffensives
- counterattacks
- ambushes
- ambuscades
- invasions
- coups de main
- incursions
- counterstrikes
- air raids
- sorties
- sallies
- bombings
- forays
- envelopments
- counter-attacks
- ravages
- counter-aggressions
- bombardments
- counterassaults
- counter-assaults
- counter-strikes
- sieges
- sacks
- breakthroughs
- counteraggressions
- pillages
- cannonades
- volleys
- barrages
- fusillades
- salvos
- storms
- salvoes
- whammies
- hails
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- defenses
- guards
- shields
- oppositions
- securities
- resistances
- defensives
- protections
- shelters
3
as in outrages
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings a diplomat never deliberately gives offense Synonyms & Similar Words
- outrages
- indignities
- insults
- personalities
- names
- abuses
- affronts
- attacks
- cuts
- slights
- criticisms
- barbs
- sarcasms
- epithets
- slurs
- darts
- digs
- dises
- disses
- slaps
- brickbats
- girds
- pokes
- invectives
- mocks
- taunts
- vituperations
- jibes
- disgraces
- catcalls
- put-downs
- jeers
- gibes
- sneers
- tortures
- disapprovals
- opprobriums
- quips
- dishonors
- swipes
- slams
- shames
- torments
- knocks
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compliments
- accolades
- commendations
- praises
- acclaim
- flatteries
- adulations
- applauses
4
as in resentments
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity my mother was prone to take offense even at the most innocent remark Synonyms & Similar Words
- resentments
- angers
- outrages
- griefs
- insults
- indignations
- distresses
- perturbations
- irritations
- peeves
- upsets
- umbrages
- indignities
- agitations
- miffs
- piques
- discomforts
- dudgeons
- aggravations
- frustrations
- disturbances
- displeasures
- vexations
- affronts
- exasperations
- botherations
- ires
- pets
- annoyances
- slights
- huffs
- bothers
- tantrums
- tempers
- danders
- slurs
- barbs
- digs
- pouts
- fits
- sulks
- brickbats
- slaps
- tizzies
- put-downs
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- satisfactions
- contentments
- pleasures
- gratifications
- mollifications
- pacifications
- delights
- appeasements