offense
- Noun:
- The action of attacking an enemy: The act of initiating an attack or aggressive action in a conflict, competition, or game.
- The team or players responsible for attacking in a sport: In team sports, the group of players whose primary objective is to score points or goals.
- (Criminal law) An act punishable by law; a crime: An illegal act that violates a law and is subject to legal penalty.
- A feeling of anger, hurt, or resentment caused by a perceived insult or disrespect: The emotional state of being upset or annoyed because of something said or done.
- A lack of politeness; an affront: An act or remark that causes hurt feelings or shows disrespect.
Noun (Attack):
- The general planned a swift offense to capture the territory.
- In football, a strong offense is as important as a good defense.
Noun (Sports Team):
- The team's offense moved the ball down the field skillfully.
- He plays on the offense for his hockey team.
Noun (Crime):
- Driving under the influence is a serious offense.
- The law categorizes theft as a criminal offense.
Noun (Feeling of Upset):
- She took offense at his rude comment.
- I meant no offense by my question.
Noun (Act of Disrespect):
- His interruption was an offense to the speaker.
- Spitting in public is considered a public offense in many places.
"To give offense": To cause someone to feel hurt or insulted.
- His blunt manner often gives offense without him realizing it.
"No offense": A phrase used to preface a statement that might be upsetting, to indicate no insult is intended.
- No offense, but I think your idea needs more work.
"First offense": Refers to the first time someone is convicted of a crime, often receiving lighter punishment.
- Since it was his first offense, the judge was more lenient.
Offend (verb): To cause someone to feel upset, annoyed, or insulted; to commit a crime or sin.
- I hope my words did not offend you.
Offensive (adjective):
- Causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry.
- He made an offensive remark.
- Relating to an attack or the act of attacking.
- The army took offensive action.
Offensive (noun): A concerted military or sporting attack.
- The army launched a major offensive.
Offender (noun): A person who commits an illegal act or causes a problem.
- The police arrested the offender.
- Attack, Assault (for the act of attacking).
- Crime, Misdemeanor, Violation (for an illegal act).
- Umbrage, Resentment, Indignation (for the feeling of being upset).
- Affront, Insult, Slight (for an act of disrespect).
Take offense: To become upset or insulted by something.
- He is quick to take offense.
Cause offense: To do or say something that upsets someone.
- Her joke might cause offense.
The best defense is a good offense: A proverb meaning that being proactive and attacking a problem is the most effective way to protect yourself.
- In the debate, she argued that the best defense is a good offense.
On offense: In the role or position of attacking in a sport or conflict.
- Our team will be on offense for the first quarter.
- the action of attacking an enemy
- the team that has the ball (or puck) and is trying to score
- (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
- a long record of crimes
- a feeling of anger caused by being offended
- he took offence at my question
- a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others