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offense

noun
of·​fense | \ É™-ˈfen(t)s How to pronounce offense (audio) , especially for sense 3 ˈä-ËŒfen(t)s, ˈȯ- How to pronounce offense (audio) \
variants: or offence

Definition of offense

1 : something that outrages the moral or physical senses His conduct is an offense to public decency. Such screaming is an offense to my ears.
2a : the act of displeasing or affronting no offense intended and none taken, I hope
b : the state of being insulted or morally outraged takes offense at the slightest criticism we ought not … to give offense by sexist words or phrases— J. J. Kilpatrick
3a : the offensive team or members of a team playing offensive positions The stronger offense won the game.
b : the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score The quarterback's passing success was the team's edge in offense.
c : scoring ability
d : the act of attacking : assault weapons of offense
4a : an infraction of law was stopped by the police for a traffic offense especially : misdemeanor had a record of petty offenses
b : a breach of a moral or social code : sin, misdeed was tolerant of his youthful offenses
5a archaic : a cause or occasion of sin : stumbling block
b obsolete : an act of stumbling
Other Words from offense Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about offense

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Other Words from offense

offenseless \ É™-​ˈfen(t)s-​lÉ™s How to pronounce offenseless (audio) , especially for sense 3  ˈä-​ËŒfen(t)s-​ , ˈȯ-​ \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for offense

offense, resentment, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, huff mean an emotional response to or an emotional state resulting from a slight or indignity. offense implies hurt displeasure. takes deep offense at racial slurs resentment suggests lasting indignation or ill will. harbored a lifelong resentment of his brother umbrage may suggest hurt pride, resentment, or suspicion of another's motives. took umbrage at the offer of advice pique applies to a transient feeling of wounded vanity. in a pique I foolishly declined the invitation dudgeon suggests an angry fit of indignation. stormed out of the meeting in high dudgeon huff implies a peevish short-lived spell of anger usually at a petty cause. in a huff he slammed the door

offense, sin, vice, crime, scandal mean a transgression of law. offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code. at that school no offense went unpunished sin implies an offense against moral or religious law. the sin of blasphemy vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts. regarded gambling as a vice crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state. the crime of murder scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience. a career ruined by a sex scandal

Examples of offense in a Sentence

He was found guilty and fined $250 for each offense. Penalties for a first offense range from fines to jail time. Our team has the best offense in the league. The quarterback directs the offense. The team needs some work on its offense. The team plays good offense.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Mason Mount, rapidly becoming a central figure in Chelsea’s offense after following Lampard from Derby County, staked the hosts to a lead in the seventh minute. — Si Wire, SI.com, "Chelsea vs. Norwich City Live Stream, TV Channel: Watch Premier League Online," 24 Aug. 2019 Donovan Peoples-Jones Michigan has a deep receiving corps, with several players capable of posting big seasons — especially in an offense built to find playmakers. — Chris Thomas, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football crystal ball: Here's our bowl projection," 24 Aug. 2019 The judge reopened the investigation after El Salvador’s Supreme Court threw out a 1993 amnesty law that had shielded perpetrators of offenses during the civil war. — Washington Post, "2 more El Salvador ex-officers to face trial in ‘81 massacre," 24 Aug. 2019 Lawrenceburg outgained East Central, 234-129, in total offense before halftime while holding the ball for 18 minutes and 52 seconds. — Mark Schmetzer, Cincinnati.com, "Indiana high school football: East Central beats Lawrenceburg for third year in row, 30-12," 23 Aug. 2019 Gemini Batimana carried 14 times for 163 yards for the Tigers, who had 299 rushing yards and 389 yards of total offense. — Barry Faulkner, Daily Pilot, "Fountain Valley football loses at Elsinore in Chris Anderson’s head-coaching debut," 23 Aug. 2019 Known for making big plays, Robinson now could be featured in the offense. — Edgar Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "2019 College Football Countdown: No. 3 Georgia looks to break through, win SEC," 22 Aug. 2019 In the offense Nagy designed, the favorite receiver is the open guy and the best play the one that works. — David Haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Column: The Bears can be great in 2019 if Mitch Trubisky is merely good," 22 Aug. 2019 Six of those returning starters, however, are on offense. — Pomerado News, "Returning starters will help Nighthawk offense," 22 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'offense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of offense

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5b

History and Etymology for offense

Middle English offence, offense "assault, breach of law, causing of displeasure," borrowed from Anglo-French offense, borrowed from Latin offensa "encounter with an obstacle, injury, wrong," noun derivative from feminine of offensus, past participle of offendere "to strike against, break a rule, displease" — more at offend

Note: The English senses "act of stumbling, stumbling block" are dependent on the Biblical passage "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" (Isaiah 8:14, 1 Peter 2:8 in the Authorized/King James Version), itself dependent on the literal sense "stumble upon" of Latin offendere and its derivatives (cf. Vulgate "lapis offensionis et petra scandali").

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More Definitions for offense

offense

noun
How to pronounce offense (audio) How to pronounce offense (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of offense

: something that causes a person to be hurt, angry, or upset

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