offense — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The act of offending. A crime or sin.

   Usage

   • US usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   misdoingtransgressionwrongdoing

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   The slave fully appreciates the saying, "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." When old master's gestures were violent, ending with a threatening shake of the head, and a sharp snap of his middle finger and thumb, I deemed it wise to keep at a respectable distance from him; for, at such times, trifling faults stood, in his eyes, as momentous offenses; and, having both the power and the disposition, the victim had only to be near him to catch the punishment, deserved or undeserved.

   The popular late Middle Ages fictional character Robin Hood, dressed in green to symbolize the forest, dodged fines for forest offenses and stole from the rich to give to the poor. But his appeal was painfully real and embodied the struggle over wood.

2. The act of offending. An affront, injury, or insult.

   Usage

   • US usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   disput-downslight

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Thus I have ventur'd to give my Opinion on this Subject againſt the Authority of tvvo great men, but I hope vvithout offence to either of their Memories, for I both lov'd them living, and reverence them now they are dead.

3. The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure.

   Usage

   • US usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   miffoffendednesspiqueumbrage

4. A strategy and tactics employed when in position to score; contrasted with defense.

   Usage

   • US usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. The portion of a team dedicated to scoring when in position to do so; contrasted with defense.

   Usage

   • US usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings of others

   Synonyms

   discourtesyoffenceoffensive activity

   Broader terms

   behaviorbehaviourconductdoings

2. a feeling of anger caused by being offended

   Synonyms

   umbrageoffence

   Broader terms

   angercholerire

   Examples

   he took offence at my question

3. a transgression that constitutes a violation of what is judged to be right

   Synonyms

   offence

   Broader terms

   transgressionevildoing

4. the team that has the ball (or puck) and is trying to score

   Synonyms

   offence

   Antonyms

   defense

   Broader terms

   teamsquad

5. the action of attacking an enemy

   Synonyms

   offenceoffensive

   Broader terms

   operationmilitary operation