offensive
10 synonyms and 0 antonyms for offensive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Causing anger, disgust, or hurt feelings.
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 offensive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French offensif, built on the same root as "offend", shaped to pair with its opposite, "defensive".
Full origin of offensive →Frequently asked questions
What does “offensive” mean?
The word “offensive” means causing anger, disgust, or hurt feelings. In plain terms, either upsetting/insulting, or related to attacking rather than defending.
How do you pronounce “offensive”?
“Offensive” is pronounced uh-FEHN-sihv (/ˈɔˌfɛnsɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “offensive” in a sentence?
Here is “offensive” used in a sentence: “Some found the comedian's jokes deeply offensive.”
What is another word for “offensive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “offensive” include aggressive, invidious and unheard-of.
What part of speech is “offensive”?
Depending on how it is used, “offensive” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “offensive” come from?
The word “offensive” comes from French. From French offensif, built on the same root as "offend", shaped to pair with its opposite, "defensive".
Is “offensive” a common word?
“Offensive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “offensive” have?
“Offensive” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing anger, disgust, or hurt feelings.
What is the difference between offensive and defensive?
Offensive relates to attacking or to causing offence, while defensive relates to protecting or guarding against attack. In sport or the military, an offensive move pushes forward to gain ground, whereas a defensive one holds back to protect. In everyday use, offensive usually means hurtful or insulting.
Is offensive always a negative word?
Not always. When it describes speech or behaviour that causes anger or hurt, it is clearly negative. But in sport, business, and the military, 'offensive' is neutral or even positive, describing an attacking strategy, as in 'the team went on the offensive.' Context decides the tone.
What is the opposite of offensive?
When offensive means hurtful or insulting, its opposites are inoffensive, pleasant, polite, or agreeable. When it refers to attacking, the opposite is defensive. Choosing the right antonym depends entirely on which sense of the word you mean, since offensive works in both social and combative contexts.