offend
to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in: Even the hint of prejudice offends me.
to affect (the sense, taste, etc.) disagreeably.
to violate or transgress (a criminal, religious, or moral law).
to hurt or cause pain to.
(in Biblical use) to cause to fall into sinful ways.
to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger: a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.
to err in conduct; commit a sin, crime, or fault.
Origin of offend
1Other words for offend
Opposites for offend
Other words from offend
- of·fend·a·ble, adjective
- of·fend·er, noun
- o·ver·of·fend, verb (used with object)
- pre·of·fend, verb (used with object)
- re·of·fend, verb
- un·of·fend·a·ble, adjective
- un·of·fend·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use offend in a sentence
He struck a poor man for a trifling word, with a flail, which proved fatal to the unoffending object.
Fox's Book of Martyrs | John FoxeOnce he saw some butchers set their dogs on an unoffending Chinaman, a policeman looking on with amused interest.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete | Albert Bigelow PaineIt is a modified version of one of the scenes in the play, and is as amusing and unoffending as any.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete | Albert Bigelow PaineLeo was obliged to talk to the girl, for, although she bored him greatly, she was too unoffending a creature to hurt.
The Pagan's Cup | Fergus HumeWas the world, with all its climates, made in vain for thy helpless unoffending victim?
Caleb Williams | William Godwin
British Dictionary definitions for offend
/ (əˈfɛnd) /
to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person)
(tr) to be disagreeable to; disgust: the smell offended him
(intr except in archaic uses) to break (a law or laws in general)
Origin of offend
1Derived forms of offend
- offender, noun
- offending, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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