OFFENSIVE Synonyms: 249 Similar and Opposite Words

offensive 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈfen(t)-siv

Definition of offensive

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment I find your disrespectful attitude toward religion very offensive the smell of rotting food is quite offensive

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obnoxious

provoking or likely to provoke protest insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

offensive

2 of 2

noun

as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 offensive

Adjective

That’s a testament primarily to offensive line coach Zach Hanson, who, in his fifth season, has now fully rebuilt the room in his image. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 The Falcons set an identity in their offensive meeting room every day. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

The rebels shortly after that launched their offensive down the Red Sea coast. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 The trip is part of a broader European charm offensive for Nvidia, and one that comes with a hefty checkbook. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offensive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive

Adjective

Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The squad has not been beefed up at all after a shameful and disgusting transfer window.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Adjective

As Claudia, Curtis is perfectly biting and obnoxious, willing to insert herself into her ex-husband’s life for sport, stomping on his feeble boundaries.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
The nudity is also more gratuitous and the counselors more obnoxious.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of obnoxious

Noun

On three separate occasions in the past week, Ukraine didn’t receive early warnings about missile attacks.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
OpenCode had been running its defense with an OpenAI model, which started to refuse its requests in the middle of the attack.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Adjective

Detection is no substitute for prevention, not when consequences are truly unacceptable.

— Andrew Ginter, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The win won’t change what’s frankly been an unacceptable campaign for a program that was 18-1-4 just two seasons ago.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of unacceptable

Noun

The offenses, said the Met Police, are alleged to have taken place between 2007 and 2016 and relate to five women.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
The offense often came into focus late in games once Hopkins stepped on the field as the team’s striker.

— Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of offense

Adjective

Mahomes scrambled to his left and threw an awful interception in the opening half.

— Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Their wins this year have been against a Patriots team that looked awful in Week 1 – with Drew Lock coming in for Darnold early in the game.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

Kermode says that for a long time, Warner showed little interest in doing a proper restoration, as the material was still considered highly objectionable.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
The judge also has noted that some of the objectionable stories cited by the DOJ do not have to do with national security.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of objectionable

Browse Nearby Words

offenses

offensive

offensiveness

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of offensive

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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