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View synonyms for

offend

[ uh-fend ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in:

    Even the hint of prejudice offends me.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

    Antonyms:

  2. to affect (the sense, taste, etc.) disagreeably.
  3. to violate or transgress (a criminal, religious, or moral law).
  4. to hurt or cause pain to.
  5. (in Biblical use) to cause to fall into sinful ways.


verb (used without object)

  1. to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger:

    a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.

  2. to err in conduct; commit a sin, crime, or fault.

    Synonyms: ,

offend

/ əˈɛԻ /

verb

  1. to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person)
  2. tr to be disagreeable to; disgust

    the smell offended him

  3. intr except in archaic uses to break (a law or laws in general)
“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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Derived Forms

  • ǴˈڱԻ徱Բ, adjective
  • ǴˈڱԻ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • Ǵ·ڱԻ·· adjective
  • Ǵ·ڱԻ· noun
  • ··Ǵ·ڱԻ verb (used with object)
  • ·Ǵ·ڱԻ verb (used with object)
  • ·Ǵ·ڱԻ verb
  • un·Ǵ·ڱԻ·· adjective
  • ܲ·Ǵ·ڱԻ·Բ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of offend1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English offenden, from Middle French offendre, from Latin offendere “to strike against, displease,” from of- of- + -fendere “to strike” ( bane ( def ) )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of offend1

C14: via Old French offendre to strike against, from Latin offendere, from ob- against + fendere to strike
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But Wallace says he was never aware he had offended her until it came to light last year, saying: "I thought we got on."

From

"We had proved that women were equal to men in magic. It looked ridiculous that they were offended by what we did and that we were thrown out of a magic club for deception."

From

They can't win the culture war, but they're going to use these lawsuits to spit in the face of all the queer people who offend them just by existing.

From

He cautioned the court against adding a broad new right for parents and students to object to ideas or messages that offend them.

From

It also noted that there had historically been "serious criminal offending associated with the parade" and urged the organisers and participants to make every effort to seek to prevent a recurrence.

From

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