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
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
the visitor unintentionally offended his hosts terribly by failing to compliment them on the elaborately prepared meal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to violate
to fail to keep
offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
But their defense against Alabama in the Sweet 16 was so bad as to offend basic basketball sensibilities.
—
Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025
Graham will be under pressure not to offend Trump, to ensure the endorsement isn't rescinded, at least until the primary contest is over.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Solovyov's choice of his words appear to have offended Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's Akhmat battalion, which plays a significant role in the war in Ukraine, and Chechen officials.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
If, like me, you’re not offended by raisins in your carrot cake, Costco’s carrot bar cake is available now in the bakery’s refrigerator section.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offend
Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025
Graham will be under pressure not to offend Trump, to ensure the endorsement isn't rescinded, at least until the primary contest is over.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Solovyov's choice of his words appear to have offended Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's Akhmat battalion, which plays a significant role in the war in Ukraine, and Chechen officials.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
If, like me, you’re not offended by raisins in your carrot cake, Costco’s carrot bar cake is available now in the bakery’s refrigerator section.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend
Verb
-
Last year, Wheeler served two days in Vernon County jail on six trespassing convictions from 2020, 2022 and 2023.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Reality check: Municipalities could still cite trespassing laws as the reason for removal, but IDHR and advocates say removal and fines just for being unhoused is a violation.—
Carrie Shepherd,
Axios,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
According to learning platform Preply, almost one-third of American workers have witnessed their boss publicly insulting or humiliating an employee.—
Amanda Kavanagh | This Column was created by Jobbio,
The Hill,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Listen to this article An Aurora attorney who cursed at and insulted school district employees during a special education meeting violated professional conduct rules and can be publicly censured, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Monday.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Earlier in the episode, Whitfield and Lindy violate Mabel — then pour hot coffee on her — before Whitfield pushes her down on the breakfast table and rapes her.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Not the least of which is that the terms of the settlement clearly violate antitrust law, which was the grounds for the lawsuit in the first place.—
Joe Sabin,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
However, that fight fell apart in early March, when a hand injury forced Whyte from the card.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Indian investors joined the sell-off on Friday, with the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex indexes both falling more than 1%.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The shooting Saturday in Pocatello outraged the boy's family and neighbors as well as viewers online who questioned why the officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of exiting their patrol cars while making no apparent effort to de-escalate the situation or use less lethal weapons.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
-
On Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters outraged by Trump's leadership since his return to office for a second term on January 20 took to the streets in all 50 states.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
On Monday night, a glittering crowd stepped out to celebrate the store’s opening, before heading over to Palazzo Serbelloni to wander through its halls and take in the homewares collection.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Nestled along the sandy shores of Siloso Beach, the resort is adorned in tropical greenery, while peacocks wander freely across the gardens, hornbills perch in the frangipani trees and dinosaur-like monitor lizards sunbathe by breakfast tables.—
Nicole Trilivas,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offend. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share