OFFENDING Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

offending 1 of 2

adjective

as in insulting

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offending

2 of 2

verb

present participle of offend

as in trespassing

to commit an offense since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in outraging

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in the visitor unintentionally offended his hosts terribly by failing to compliment them on the elaborately prepared meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in violating

to fail to keep offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of offending

Adjective

Chmerkovskiy quickly took down the offending TikTok, but not before fan screenshots proliferated and Inaba got wind of it. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026 And some of the offending treatment plants have been breaking the law repeatedly for over a decade. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026 Fortunately, many dahlia insect problems in September can be solved by walking through the garden in the morning and plucking the offending insects off the plants by hand, then dropping them into a container of soapy water. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026 The sheriff said the jail places strong emphasis on inmate programs designed to reduce re-offending. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 When physical aggression is directed at White players such as Cunningham or Caitlin Clark, commentators have repeatedly shown a willingness to search for explanations that soften the actions of the offending player. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Trump struck the offending clauses and blamed Cohn for having crafted them. — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 The offending stories, according to the Times, focused on security concerns surrounding the new luxurious Air Force One jet, a gift from the Qatari government. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026 The company is still carrying out a voluntary recall of the offending greens, a move first announced on Friday. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 22 July 2026

Verb

Interestingly, there is no statistically detectable difference in offending rates before college, suggesting the future fraternity members weren’t always fundamentally different in their behavior. — Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 What that means is that drone hunter just locked on to the offending drone. — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026 The danger here is not just offending the sensibilities of a group that the marketing team had not considered, but also that group sharing their offense with friends and relatives in their countries of origin. — Ivan Doruda, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026 For that, their game — analyzing randomness and violence and doing so without offending our intelligence — has become as important to the American audience as The Game. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 While Presley made appearances on The Milton Berle Show and The Steve Allen Show, among many others, Sullivan had hesitations about platforming the provocative singer, whose dance moves thrilled some audiences while offending others. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2026 The offending quote, which NBC News obtained by using The Wayback Machine internet archive, was published by The Jerusalem Post on Saturday. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026 Instead of pesticides, scout the garden regularly and pick off offending insects by hand. — Paula Weatherby, Florida Times-Union, 5 Sep. 2026 Here’s what to bring, when to show up and how to ask for a better price without offending the person who grew your dinner. — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offending

Adjective

But to propose trading him for anything short of a fourth-round pick is insulting.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Afterward, Lisa brags about her pickpocketing skills and says theft is easier and less insulting to the mark.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of insulting

Verb

Those who visit the site are trespassing, and Rafford said the owner cites safety concerns.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
Israel wages war on childhood because a Palestinian child at play is already trespassing upon the future Israel has reserved for itself.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of trespassing

Verb

The Hitlerite hordes are murdering and outraging the peaceful inhabitants of our country, having no mercy on women, children or old people.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.

— Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

Definition of outraging

Verb

Charlotte’s water utility has fielded about 18 complaints a day of people violating mandatory water restrictions in place since mid-May, when the region was facing an extreme drought crisis.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
Just before kickoff, the Tide confirmed that Kirkpatrick was suspended for violating team rules.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of violating

Adjective

With the Chiefs having the game in hand in the fourth quarter, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy approached head coach Andy Reid with a suggestion.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
In his second game back from a hamstring injury, Caleb continued to ride an offensive groove, throwing for 308 yards (22-of-32) and two touchdowns.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of offensive

Verb

Zelensky accused Moscow of breaking the apparent agreement and, in turn, resumed strikes against Russian oil facilities, defying pressure from Washington.

— Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Jurors began deliberating Wednesday afternoon and continued Thursday and Friday before breaking for the weekend.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of breaking

Adjective

Advocates Against Family Violence in Canyon County is available at 208-459-4779 for anyone in need of help or shelter in an abusive relationship.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026
Animal rights activists have argued in favor of banning the industry for more than two decades, calling the work dangerous and inherently abusive to the equines.

— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of abusive

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Style

“Offending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offending. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of offending

adjective

verb

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