Definition Synonyms
Definition of offensive - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
ethicsmorally wrong or unacceptable
- The movie was criticized for its offensive content.
2.
sportsTECH. having to do with scoring in sportsTECH.
- The team focused on their offensive strategy.
3.
militaryTECH. related to attacking in a conflictTECH.
- The army launched an offensive at dawn..
4.
upsettingcausing someone to feel upset or annoyed
- His comments were highly offensive to many people..
Noun
1.
upsettingsomething causing anger or annoyance
- His comment was seen as an offensive remark..
2.
militaryTECH. planned military attack by soldiersTECH.
- The general launched a major offensive at dawn.
Expressions with offensive
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actively attacking or being aggressive
The team is on the offensive, pushing towards the goal.
be bold and proactive to gain advantage
She chose to take the offensive in the negotiations.
planned use of charm to win support or favor
The government launched a charm offensive to improve its image.
object used or intended to hurt or attack someone
Carrying an offensive weapon is illegal in many countries.
planned effort using diplomacy to reach political goals
The country launched a diplomatic offensive to gain more allies.
start a strong effort to achieve a goal
The company plans to launch an offensive to increase sales.
planned effort to increase selling of products or services
The company launched a sales offensive to boost profits.
foul by the team with the ball
He was called for an offensive foul during the game.
organize and start a planned attack or campaign
The army decided to mount an offensive at dawn.
charm offensive involving social events with food and drinks
They hosted a prawn cocktail offensive to impress the investors.
deliberate steps to advance a position in a conflict or competition
The company launched offensive action by filing a lawsuit against its rival.
group of five players blocking for the quarterback in football
The offensive line protected the quarterback during the play.
action to score points against the other team
The team's offensive activity led to a quick goal.
player blocking defensive rushers on the line
The offensive tackle protected the quarterback from the blitz.
large planned military attack carried out mainly by land forces
The army launched a major ground offensive at dawn.
military operations targeting enemy air forces
The squadron conducted offensive counter air to gain air superiority.
planned military action aimed at attacking and defeating an opposing force
The general ordered an offensive operation to push the enemy back across the border.
Origin of offensive
Latin, offendere (to strike against)
Terms with offensive included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
rude action
say or do something rude or offensive
insult
offensive term for a foolish person
negative
offensive or disagreeable
profanity
words considered offensive or vulgar
etiquette
offensive or inappropriate content
offensive language
word considered offensive or inappropriate
insulting
insult someone by using offensive or rude words
polite speech
language free from offensive words
vulgarity
word considered offensive or vulgar
swearing
using offensive words to express anger
vulgarity
word considered vulgar or offensive
polite language
language that is not profanity or offensive
emotion
causing anger or hurt by being offensive
etiquette
something considered inappropriate or offensive
offensiveness
quality of being offensive or inappropriate
offensive language
word people use that is rude or offensive
hygiene
having a bad or offensive odor
insult verbally
speak to someone in an insulting and offensive way
insult
contemptible or offensive person
offensive behavior
lacking tact or taste
strong dislike
causing strong dislike, especially for being offensive or immoral
people
woman of any age, sometimes considered offensive
emotion
unpleasant or offensive in nature
insult
offensive term for a greedy or dirty person
Examples of offensive in a sentence
The book was banned for its offensive language. The offensive lineup was unstoppable. He excelled in offensive plays during the match. The general planned an offensive strategy. They prepared for an offensive operation. The movie contained offensive language.
She found the joke to be offensive. The joke was taken as an offensive. She found the gesture to be an offensive. The troops prepared for a winter offensive. An unexpected offensive caught the enemy off guard.
View all translations of offensive
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:choquant, offense, ...
- German:anstößig, Offensive, ...
- Italian:scandaloso, offesa, ...
- Spanish:ofensivo, ofensa, ...
- Portuguese:ofensivo, ofensa, ...
- Chinese:令人反感的, 冒犯, ...
- Japanese:不快な, 侮辱, ...
- Arabic:مُسِيء, إِهانَة, ...
- Hebrew:מְגוּנֶה, הַתְקָפָה, ...
- Russian:оскорбительный, оскорбление, ...
- Ukrainian:образливий, образа, ...
- Hindi:आपत्तिजनक, अपमान, ...
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