offence
10 synonyms and 1 antonym for offence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — British spelling of "offense" — a crime or breach of the law, or a feeling of being hurt or insulted.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use offence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
take offence
no offence
a criminal offence
Frequently asked questions
What does “offence” mean?
The word “offence” means british spelling of "offense" — a crime or breach of the law, or a feeling of being hurt or insulted. In plain terms, british spelling of "offense" — a crime, or hurt feelings.
How do you use “offence” in a sentence?
Here is “offence” used in a sentence: “He was charged with a minor motoring offence.”
What part of speech is “offence”?
“Offence” is a noun.
Is “offence” a common word?
“Offence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "offence" and "offense"?
They are the same word with different spellings: "offence" is the standard British spelling, while "offense" is the American spelling. Both mean a crime or breach of the law, or a feeling of being hurt or insulted, so the choice depends on which variety of English you are writing in.
When should you use "offence" with a "c"?
Use "offence" with a "c" when writing in British English, which is also standard in most Commonwealth countries such as the UK, Australia, and Ireland. American English uses "offense" with an "s" instead.
Does "offence" mean a crime or a hurt feeling?
"Offence" can mean both, depending on context. It refers either to a breach of the law, as in a criminal offence, or to the feeling of being hurt or insulted, as in "she took offence at the joke."
