offensive
pronunciation
How to pronounce offensive in British English:
UK [əˈfensɪv]
How to pronounce offensive in American English:
US [əˈfensɪv]
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- Noun:
- the action of attacking an enemy
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- Adjective:
- violating or tending to violate or offend against
- for the purpose of attack rather than defense
- causing anger or annoyance
- morally offensive
- unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses
- of an offensive substitute for inoffensive terminology
- causing or able to cause nausea
Word Origin
- offensive (adj.)
- "attacking" (1540s), "insulting" (1570s), both from Middle French offensif (16c.) and directly from Medieval Latin offensivus, from Latin offens-, past participle stem of offendere "offend" (see offend). Related: Offensively; offensiveness.
- offensive (n.)
- "condition of attacking, aggressive action," 1720, from offensive (adj.).
Synonym
combativeness hostility bellicosity aggression belligerence contentiousness antagonism pugnacity enmity animus
thrust aggression attack invasion assailment push charge assault onset incursion onslaught offence encounter raid
putrid graveolent rancid distasteful nauseant unpalatabel nauseating sickening noisome rotten strong mephitic fetid stinking rank whiffy unsavoury
irksome exasperating rude insulting provocative unbearable irritating insufferable disagreeable vexatious intolerable discourteous unmannered offputting disrespectful affronting nettling unmannerly uncivil fretting unendurable provoking insolent galling annoying aggravating unpleasant distasteful
Antonym
Example
- 1. Unfortunately , the charm offensive has not altogether worked .
- 2. Why did the israelis launch their 27 december offensive ?
- 3. Their sharp words are offensive , but not new .
- 4. I found him extremely offensive .
- 5. Understand that it 's all relative : what is offensive to me might make you laugh .