offense
18 synonyms and 0 antonyms for offense, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A wrongdoing, crime, or breach of a rule.
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.
How to use offense
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French offense, from Latin offensa, "a striking against" — from the same root as offend.
Full origin of offense →Frequently asked questions
What does “offense” mean?
The word “offense” means a wrongdoing, crime, or breach of a rule. In plain terms, either a rule-breaking act, the hurt feeling from an insult, or (in sports) the scoring team.
How do you pronounce “offense”?
“Offense” is pronounced uh-FEHNS (/əˈfɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “offense” in a sentence?
Here is “offense” used in a sentence: “Speeding is a minor traffic offense in most states.”
What is another word for “offense”?
Words with a similar meaning to “offense” include affront, barb, burn, dis, diss and insult.
What part of speech is “offense”?
“Offense” is a noun.
Where does the word “offense” come from?
The word “offense” comes from Latin. From Old French offense, from Latin offensa, "a striking against" — from the same root as offend.
Is “offense” a common word?
“Offense” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “offense” have?
“Offense” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wrongdoing, crime, or breach of a rule.
What is the difference between "offense" and "offence"?
They are the same word spelled differently: "offense" is standard in American English, while "offence" is the British and Commonwealth spelling. Both mean a wrongdoing or a feeling of hurt caused by something insulting.
What is the difference between "offense" and "crime"?
A "crime" is specifically an act punishable by law, while an "offense" is broader and can mean any breach of a rule, including minor violations that are not criminal. All crimes are offenses, but not every offense is a crime.
What are common collocations with "offense"?
Common collocations include "criminal offense," "minor offense," "first offense," "cause offense," and "take offense." The first three use the wrongdoing sense, while the last two use the sense of hurt feelings.