offend
pronunciation
How to pronounce offend in British English:
UK [əˈfend]
How to pronounce offend in American English:
US [əˈfend]
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- Verb:
- cause to feel resentment or indignation
- act in disregard of laws and rules
- strike with disgust or revulsion
- hurt the feelings of
Word Origin
- offend
- offend: [14] Latin offendere meant ‘strike against’. It was a compound verb formed from the prefix ob- ‘against’ and -fendere ‘hit’ (source also of English defend). Its literal sense survived into English (‘The navy is a great defence and surety of this realm in time of war, as well to offend as defend’ proclaimed an act of parliament of Henry VIII’s time), and continues to do so in the derivatives offence [14] and offensive [16], but as far as the verb is concerned only the metaphorical ‘hurt the feelings’ and ‘violate’ remain.=> defend, fend
- offend (v.)
- early 14c., "to sin against (someone)," from Old French ofendre "transgress, antagonize," and directly from Latin offendere "to hit, strike against," figuratively "to stumble, commit a fault, displease, trespass against, provoke," from ob "against" (see ob-) + -fendere "to strike" (found only in compounds; see defend). Meaning "to violate (a law), to make a moral false step, to commit a crime" is from late 14c. Meaning "to wound the feelings" is from late 14c. The literal sense of "to attack, assail" is attested from late 14c.; this has been lost in Modern English, but is preserved in offense and offensive. Related: Offended; offending.
Example
- 1. As such it can offend egalitarian values .
- 2. Why was I trying to offend another ?
- 3. Your choices may disappoint or offend others .
- 4. This can offend co-workers , create clashes , and even get you dragged into hr .
- 5. We don 't want to offend customers or lose them .