Offend

/əˈfɛnd/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To hurt the feelings of; to displease; to make angry; to insult..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To hurt the feelings of; to displease; to make angry; to insult.
2. (intransitive) To feel or become offended; to take insult.
3. (transitive) To physically harm, pain.
4. (transitive) To annoy, cause discomfort or resent.
5. (intransitive) To sin, transgress divine law or moral rules.
6. (transitive or with "against") To transgress or violate a law or moral requirement.
7. (obsolete, transitive, archaic, biblical) To cause to stumble; to cause to sin or to fall.

Example Sentences

Your accusations offend me deeply.

‘ […] 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.

Don't worry. I don't offend easily.

Strong light offends the eye.

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

Physically enjoyable frivolity can still offend the conscience

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, […]

Synonyms for offend

Antonyms for offend

Related Words

Word Forms

• offends
• offending
• offended

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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