Thesaurus
offense
noun
Synonyms and Antonyms of OFFENSE
1
a breaking of a moral or legal code <wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity>
Synonyms breach, crime, debt, error, lawbreaking, malefaction, misdeed, misdoing, sin, transgression, trespass, violation, wrongdoing
Related Words bias crime, hate crime; felony, misconduct, misdemeanor, misfeasance; fault, foible, peccadillo; break, infringement; immorality, iniquitousness, iniquity, sinfulness, vice, wickedness; corruption, debauchery, depravity, licentiousness; abuse, criminality, illegality, lawlessness, unlawfulness; descent, downfall, fall
Near Antonyms blamelessness, faultlessness, guiltlessness, impeccability, innocence, irreproachability; goodness, morality, righteousness, virtue, virtuousness
Antonyms noncrime
2
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence <combat casualties grew enormously as the weapons of offense became far more technologically advanced than defensive armor>
Synonyms aggression, assault, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, offense (or offence), offensive, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strike
Related Words ambuscade, ambush; counteraggression, counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike; sally, sortie; envelopment, flanking; breakthrough, foray, incursion, invasion; pillage, ravage, sack; air raid, bombardment, bombing; siege, storm; barrage, cannonade, fusillade, hail, salvo, volley; whammy
Near Antonyms defense, defensive, guard, shield; opposition, resistance; protection, security, shelter
3
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings <a diplomat never deliberately gives offense>
Synonyms affront, barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, dis (also diss) [slang], epithet, gird, indignity, name, offense (or offence), outrage, personality, poke, put-down, sarcasm, slap, slight, slur
4
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity <my mother was prone to take offense even at the most innocent remark>
Related Words aggravation, anger, annoyance, bother, botheration, discomfort, exasperation, frustration, grief, irritation, vexation; agitation, angriness, displeasure, distress, disturbance, indignation, irateness, ire, outrage, perturbation, upset; dander, temper; fit, pet, pouts, sulk(s), tantrum, tizzy; affront, barb, brickbat, dig, indignity, insult, put-down, slap, slight, slur
Near Antonyms satisfaction; appeasement, mollification, pacification; contentment, delight, gratification, happiness, pleasure
Variants of OFFENSE
offense or offence
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