offensive

[of·fen·sive]

Offensive describes rude or hurtful behavior, or a military or sports incursion into on opponent's territory. In any context, "on the offensive" means on the attack.

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Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words.

Noun
the action of attacking an enemy

Adjective
of an offensive substitute for inoffensive terminology; "`nigger'' is a dysphemistic term for `African-American''"

Adjective
unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses; "offensive odors"

Adjective
morally offensive; "an unsavory reputation"; "an unsavory scandal"

Adjective
causing anger or annoyance; "offensive remarks"

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Adjective
for the purpose of attack rather than defense; "offensive weapons"

Adjective S.
violating or tending to violate or offend against; "violative of the principles of liberty"; "considered such depravity offensive against all laws of humanity"

Adjective S.
causing or able to cause nausea; "a nauseating smell"; "nauseous offal"; "a sickening stench"


a.
Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words.

a.
Giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell; offensive sounds.

a.
Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in attacking; -- opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war; offensive weapons.

n.
The state or posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; -- opposed to defensive.


Offensive

Of*fen"sive , a. [Cf.F. offensif. See Offend.] 1. Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words. 2. Giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell; offensive sounds. "Offensive to the stomach." Bacon. 3. Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in attacking; -- opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war; offensive weapons. League offensive and defensive, a leaque that requires all the parties to it to make war together against any foe, and to defend one another if attacked. Syn. -- Displeasing; disagreeable; distasteful; obnoxious; abhorrent; disgusting; impertinent; rude; saucy; reproachful; opprobrious; insulting; insolent; abusive; scurrilous; assailant; attacking; invading. -- Of*fen"sive*ly, adv. -- Of*fen"sive*ness, n.

Offensive

Of*fen"sive , n. The state or posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; -- opposed to defensive. To act on the offensive, to be the attacking party.

Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words.

The state or posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; -- opposed to defensive.

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Usage Examples

The thing is, I don't believe in most of what's done. The amount of financial and imaginative energy that's put into mediocrity is just amazing which I find to be fundamentally offensive as a human being.

If either player abandon the game by quitting the table in anger, or in an otherwise offensive manner or by momentarily resigning the game or refuses to abide by the decision of the Umpire, the game must be scored against him.

I consider skateboarding an art form, a lifestyle and a sport. 'Action sport' would be the least offensive categorization.

I am extremely proud of my service with the government and my efforts to help safeguard public health and protect our country against the scourge of offensive biological warfare.

We ought to recognize that we have an offensive responsibility to take the war to the terrorists where they are. That responsibility has waned in the last year as military and intelligence resources were withdrawn from Afghanistan and Pakistan to be used in Iraq.

There has not yet been a major ground offensive battle... There are, we know, negotiations going on between the opposition forces and the Taliban leadership for surrender.

Each day, each one of us chooses not to do many things that would be legal but offensive to those around us.

Misspelled Form

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Other Usage Examples

We have no patience with other people's vanity because it is offensive to our own.

The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.

Basketball is like war in that offensive weapons are developed first, and it always takes a while for the defense to catch up.

Success consecrates the most offensive crimes.

Every time I write something, I think, this is the most offensive thing I will ever write. But no. I always surprise myself.

A sense of duty is useful in work but offensive in personal relations. People wish to be liked, not to be endured with patient resignation.

So we're considering doing a new Christmas album, because there's been Christmas episodes since then, and maybe finally do the version of 'The Most Offensive Song Ever' with lyrics intact.

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