offend

1
as in to trespass
to commit an offense since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word offend distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of offend are affront, insult, and outrage. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Where would affront be a reasonable alternative to offend?

The synonyms affront and offend are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

When would insult be a good substitute for offend?

In some situations, the words insult and offend are roughly equivalent. However, insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When might outrage be a better fit than offend?

The words outrage and offend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

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 offend Shouldn’t he be offended? Isaiah Briscoe led the league in scoring last year? Zach Harper, New York Times, 20 May 2025 After treating courthouse sidewalks like North Korea with better landscaping, the First Circuit reminded everyone that free speech doesn't take vacations just because one judge or police department is offended. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 Kaplan, the keeper of the NFLPA arbitration process, was clearly offended by France’s conduct. Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025 The offending employees were moved to different cottages. Jeff McDonald, Mercury News, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for offend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend
Verb
  • The lawsuit argued that the two oil companies were public nuisances, that their pollution was trespassing into the counties, and that their pollution violated the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
  • He was accused of trespassing and ignoring warnings to leave the Delaney Hall facility.
    Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Three players told the Washington Post that Spirit coach Richie Burke had repeatedly screamed at them, insulted them and threatened to bench them, during games and at practice.
    Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The title comes up over a blue sky in orange font and goes on to insult the Celtics as much as possible.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • If an interaction that violates our Community Guidelines occurs, report it to us.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 June 2025
  • That has led to China and the US trading barbs in the past week, over which side violated the temporary trade agreement reached in Geneva.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Heavy rain is falling across the Kansas City area, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning for parts of the metro.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
  • Disproportionate burden of care Traditionally, child care and household duties fall squarely on mothers.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • His partners at his music and production label Fantasy Records [whose success with Creedence Clearwater Revival helped fund the movie] were outraged.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 May 2025
  • People who supported masks and social distancing during the pandemic were outraged.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Across the street, walking to their apartments, Marta Becerra, 50, and Margarita Mota, 60, said people from the parking structure had wandered into their apartment complex, stealing bicycles and other items from people’s porches.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • Any Colorado wolves that wander into Utah, New Mexico or Arizona will be retrieved and brought back to the Centennial State, under agreements state wildlife officials inked with those neighboring states.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Offend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offend. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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