Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To cause hurt feelings, resentment, or displeasure; to insult or upset someone.
   • To cause a feeling of disgust, shock, or revulsion.
   • To violate or break (a law, rule, principle, or promise).

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To commit a sin or transgression; to do something wrong.
   • To cause displeasure or annoyance.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb (Hurt Feelings):
  • His rude comment offended many people at the meeting.
  • I didn't mean to offend you with my joke.
• Transitive Verb (Cause Disgust):
  • The graphic violence in the film offended some viewers.
  • The smell from the factory offends the senses.
• Transitive Verb (Violate a Rule/Law):
  • The new policy offends the principles of free speech.
  • His actions offend against common decency.
• Intransitive Verb:
  • He is quick to take offense, so be careful not to offend.
  • To offend against the law is to risk punishment.

Advanced Usage

• "to offend against": This phrasal construction is used to specify the principle, law, or sensibility that is violated.
  • The dictator's regime offended against every notion of human rights.
• "easily offended": Describes a person who takes offense readily.
  • She is easily offended, so you must choose your words carefully.

Variants and Related Words

• Offender (n): A person who commits an illegal act or a transgression.
  • The offender was given a warning by the police.
• Offensive (adj): Causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry; disgusting; also, relating to an attack.
  • He made an offensive remark. (causing hurt)
  • The army launched an offensive. (military attack)
• Offensively (adv): In an offensive manner.
  • He behaved offensively.

Synonyms

• Upset: To make someone unhappy, disappointed, or worried.
• Insult: To speak to or treat with disrespect or scorn.
• Outrage: To arouse fierce anger, shock, or indignation.
• Violate: To break or fail to comply with (a rule or formal agreement).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Offend against: To sin against or violate (a principle, law, or standard of behavior).
  • The company's practices offend against environmental regulations.

Related Idioms

• Give offense: To cause someone to feel hurt or angry.
  • I hope my words did not give offense.
• Take offense: To feel hurt, insulted, or resentful.
  • He took offense at her suggestion that he was lazy.

Verb

1. hurt the feelings of
   • She hurt me when she did not include me among her guests
   • This remark really bruised my ego
2. strike with disgust or revulsion
   • The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends
3. act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
   • offend all laws of humanity
   • violate the basic laws or human civilization
   • break a law
   • break a promise
4. cause to feel resentment or indignation
   • Her tactless remark offended me