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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

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 Many viewers have been critical of producers for failing to catch offending social media posts before sending contestants into the show. Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 8 July 2025 In the city that Jordan built, new Bulls players often walk a tightrope to avoid offending the fan base with a potentially controversial take. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025 While some Hollywood studios such as Lionsgate and Blumhouse have collaborated with AI companies, others have been reluctant to announce partnerships at the risk of offending talent that have voiced concerns over how AI could be used to alter their digital likeness without adequate compensation. Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025 The LinkedIn feed is full of safe, vanilla content because everyone's scared to offend. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for offend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend
Verb
  • Police responded to the home shortly before 5 p.m. when Fahey called 911 and reported that the two men trespassed on his property.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025
  • Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell filed court documents accusing a Florida sheriff's office of failing to remove beachgoers who trespass on his oceanfront property and is asking a judge to intervene.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • Weeks after that House hearing, the Fed lowered rates a quarter point, but Trump kept haranguing and insulting Powell, calling for even more easing.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 July 2025
  • Offend clients or coworkers: Social media posts that target or insult certain groups, especially in a way that reflects poorly on your employer, can lead to termination.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • Under the proposal, violating the permit restrictions would carry a $150 fine.
    John Tuohy, IndyStar, 23 July 2025
  • Then, in November 2023, a mistrial was declared in a federal trial over whether Hankison violated the civil rights of Taylor, her boyfriend and neighbors after the jury could not come to a decision.
    Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • More aggressive treatment options Advertisement In particularly severe cases—especially when someone has an underlying autoimmune disease—OTC eye drops and lifestyle modifications will likely fall short.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 21 July 2025
  • According to data from professional services giant PwC, global M & A volumes fell 9% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, but deal values were up by 15%.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • The release also outraged some supporters of the president, who had been promised that more details would be made public.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2025
  • What further outraged Roberts and another Cook accuser, however, is what did not appear in the report: that the mayor, who was married and more than 30 years older than each woman at the time, sent them late-night and personal texts alluding to poetry.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Between all that, cosplayers wander around and fans stop to buy action figures, play video games and meet their favorite artists.
    Olivia Petty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • So why are astronomers suddenly so many interstellar objects wandering through our Solar System?
    Kiona N. Smith, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Offend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offend. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on offend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!