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   offensive

   /əˈfɛnsɪv/

   adjective

   • 1. causing someone to feel resentful, upset, or annoyed: "the allegations made are deeply offensive to us" Similar insultingrudederogatorydisrespectfulhurtfulwoundingabusiveobjectionabledispleasingannoyingexasperatingirritatingvexinggallingprovocativeprovokinghumiliatingimpertinentimpudentinsolentpersonaldiscourteousuncivilimpoliteunmannerlyunacceptableshockingscandalousoutrageouscrudevulgarcoarseindecentimproperrare:exceptionableOpposite complimentarypolite
   • ▪ (of a sight or smell) disgusting; repulsive: "an offensive odour" Similar unpleasantdisagreeablenastydistastefuldispleasingobjectionableoff-puttinguninvitingawfulterribledreadfulfrightfulobnoxiousabominabledisgustingrepulsiverepellentrepugnantrevoltingabhorrentloathsomehatefuldetestableexecrableodiousvilefoulunsavouryunpalatablesickeningnauseatingnauseousuglyunsightlynoxiousfetidrankrancidmalodorousmephiticinformal:ghastlyhorriblehorridgrossputridsick-makingyuckygodawfulbeastlyboggingon the noseskankyliterary:noisomearchaic:disgustfulloathlyOpposite pleasantdelightful
   • 2. actively aggressive; attacking: "offensive operations against the insurgents" Similar hostileattackingaggressiveinvadingincursivecombativethreateningmartialwarlikebelligerentbellicoseantagonisticon the attackOpposite defensive
   • ▪ (of a weapon) meant for use in attack: "he is also accused of possessing an offensive weapon"
   • ▪ relating to the team in possession of the ball or puck in a game: North American "Shell was an outstanding offensive tackle during his 15 years with the Raiders"

   noun

   • 1. an attacking military campaign: "an impending military offensive against the guerrillas"
   • ▪ an organized and forceful campaign to achieve something, typically a political or social end: "the need to launch an offensive against crime"

   Word Origin mid 16th century: from French offensif, -ive or medieval Latin offensivus, from Latin offens- ‘struck against’, from the verb offendere (see offend).

   Derivatives

   • 1. offensiveness noun

   Scrabble Points: 18

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishOFFENSIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   offensive adjective (ATTACKING) used for attacking: Since the other side had taken offensive action (= attacked), we had no choice but to defend ourselves. Knives of any kind are classed as offensive weapons. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › offensiveOffensive Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › offensive

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   The meaning of OFFENSIVE is making attack : aggressive. How to use offensive in a sentence.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › offensiveOffensive - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › offensive

   Offensive describes rude or hurtful behavior, or a military or sports incursion into an opponent's territory. In any context, "on the offensive " means on the attack.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › offensiveOFFENSIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › offensive

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   Offensive definition: causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying. See examples of OFFENSIVE used in a sentence.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishOFFENSIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   If you conduct an offensive, you take strong action to show how angry you are about something or how much you disapprove of something.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › offensiveOffensive - definition of offensive by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › offensive

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   1. a. Causing anger, displeasure, or resentment: an offensive gesture. b. Disagreeable to the senses: an offensive odor. 2. a. Making a physical or military attack: The offensive troops gained ground quickly. b. Of, relating to, or designed for attack: offensive weapons.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishoffensive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Definition of offensive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

9. www.britannica.com › dictionary › offensiveOffensive Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

   www.britannica.com › dictionary › offensive

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   Britannica Dictionary definition of OFFENSIVE. 1. [more offensive; most offensive] : causing someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset : rude or insulting. He made some offensive remarks. offensive words/terms. — often + to. The song lyrics are offensive to women. [=women are offended by the song lyrics] His behavior is offensive to many people.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishOFFENSIVE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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    OFFENSIVE definition: 1. likely to make people angry or upset: 2. used for attacking: 3. an attack: . Learn more.

11. www.oed.com › dictionary › offensive_adjoffensive, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford...

    www.oed.com › dictionary › offensive_adj

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    What does the word offensive mean? There are 11 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word offensive, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. offensive has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. military (mid 1500s) religion (mid 1600s) games (1880s) sport (1880s)