Pronunciations (2)
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/əˈfɛnd/
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əˈfɛnd
Verb
To hurt the feelings of; to displease; to make angry; to insult.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Your accusations offend me deeply.
More examples (2)
‘ […] I remember a lady coming to inspect St. Mary's Home where I was brought up and seeing us all in our lovely Elizabethan uniforms we were so proud of, and bursting into tears all over us because “it was wicked to dress us like charity children”. We nearly crowned her we were so offended. She saw us but she didn't know us, did she?’.
One day my girlfriend, her boyfriend and I were sunbathing topless because that's Barbados - you can wear nothing if you want. And the Pepsi guy walks up and with my agent to meet us for lunch. I wondered if I should put on my top because I have a business relationship with him. I didn't want him to get offended because the rest of the beach had seen me with my top off.
To feel or become offended; to take insult.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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Don't worry. I don't offend easily.
To physically harm, pain.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Strong light offends the eye.
More examples (1)
Som fowles there be that have so perfaict ſight Agayn the Sonne their Iyes for to defend And ſom bicauſe the light doeth theim offend Do never pere but in the darke or nyght
To annoy, cause discomfort or resent.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Physically enjoyable frivolity can still offend the conscience
To sin, transgress divine law or moral rules.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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More examples (1)
I dailie and hourelie offend in thought, word, and deed, in a relapſe by mine owne weakneſſe and wilfulneſſe, my bonus Genius, my good protecting angel is gone, I am falne from that I was, or would bee, worſe and worſe, […]
To transgress or violate a law or moral requirement.
Usage- Transitive
- with "against"
- Examples
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Wearing faded baggy offends against the club's rules of proper dress.
More examples (1)
The plaintiff’s claim is replete with conclusions, expressions of opinion, and evidence. Therefore, the statement of claim offends the rules of pleading and ought to be struck out pursuant to Queen’s Bench Rule 25.11(b).
To cause to stumble; to cause to sin or to fall.
Usage- Archaic
- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
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"If any man offend not (stumbles not, is not tripped up) in word, the same is a perfect man."
"If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out."
Verb
cause to feel resentment or indignation
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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Her tactless remark offended me
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
- Broader terms
- Examples
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offend all laws of humanity
violate the basic laws or human civilization
More examples (2)
break a law
break a promise
strike with disgust or revulsion
- Examples
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The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends
hurt the feelings of
- Examples
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She hurt me when she did not include me among her guests
This remark really bruised my ego