Word forms: plural offenceslanguage note: The spelling offense is used in American English. The pronunciation (ɔfense) is used for meaning [sense 3].language note: The spelling offense is used in American English.
1. countable noun
An offence is a crime that breaks a particular law and requires a particular punishment.
Thirteen people have been charged with treason–an offence which can carry the deathpenalty.
In Britain the Consumer Protection Act makes it a criminal offence to sell goodsthat are unsafe.
Synonyms: crime, wrong, sin, lapse More Synonyms of offence
2. variable noun
Offence or an offence is behaviour which causes people to be upset or embarrassed.
The book might be published without creating offense.
Privilege determined by birth is an offence to any modern sense of justice. [+ to]
Synonyms: outrage, shock, anger, trouble More Synonyms of offence
3. singular noun [theNOUN]
In sports such as American football or basketball, the offense is the team which has possession of the ball and is trying to score.
[US]
Between plays the coach was talking to the offense in the huddle.
4.
See cause offence
5.
See no offence
6.
See take offence
More Synonyms of offence
offence in British English
or US offense (əˈfɛns)
noun
1.
a violation or breach of a law, custom, rule, etc
2.
a.
any public wrong or crime
b.
a nonindictable crime punishable on summary conviction
3.
annoyance, displeasure, or resentment
4. give offence
5. take offence
6.
a source of annoyance, displeasure, or anger
7.
attack; assault
8. archaic
injury or harm
9. the offense
Derived forms
offenceless (ofˈfenceless) or US offenseless (ofˈfenseless)
adjective
offence in American English
(əˈfɛns)
noun
British
offense
COBUILD Collocations
offence
accuse of an offence
Examples of 'offence' in a sentence
offence
Selling snowdrops taken from the wild is a criminal offence.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
No details of the offences were given at court.
The Sun (2016)
Her husband had admitted the same offence earlier.
The Sun (2016)
We have reached a good balance between offence and defence.
The Sun (2016)
These offences carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
MPs said that the public had a right to know the identities of those convicted of the most serious offences.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She said that the extra powers being considered would be to deal with common offences including using a mobile telephone at the wheel and speeding.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The journal suggested that she had benefited from a fictitious post, which is an offence under French law.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Will the clampdown on minor speeding offences reduce road deaths?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My language was poorly chosen and has caused a great deal of offence.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
She admitted committing the offence but insisted that she simply forgot about the tests.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
People who committed offences younger are continuing on into their old age.
The Sun (2015)
The law is clear that to do so would be a criminal offence.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The club were found not guilty of alleged offences over payments to two other players.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The force classified the offences as antisocial behaviour rather than as a crime.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There is no time between offence and defence.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The move will halt all trials for offences carrying a maximum sentence of ten years or less.
The Sun (2008)
We have long argued that sentences for serious offences should be more consistent and rigorous.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The current law limits offences to drivers whose performance is impaired by the use of illegal drugs.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We are sorry if this suggestion caused any offence.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Many are repeat offenders whose second offence would not have been committed if their resettlement after the first had been effective.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
An offence under the Act makes it a crime to carry on a business with a seriously misleading name.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
offence
British English: offence /əˈfɛns/ NOUN
An offence is a crime.
He has committed several offences.
American English: offense
Arabic: إسَاءَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: ofensa
Chinese: 犯罪
Croatian: prekršaj
Czech: trestný čin
Danish: fornærmelse
Dutch: overtreding
European Spanish: infracción
Finnish: rikos
French: délit
German: Vergehen
Greek: αδίκημα
Italian: reato
Japanese: 違反
Korean: 위반
Norwegian: straffbar handling
Polish: obraza
European Portuguese: ofensa
Romanian: delict
Russian: оскорбление
Latin American Spanish: infracción
Swedish: brott förbrytelse
Thai: การกระทำผิดกฎหมาย
Turkish: saldırı
Ukrainian: злочин
Vietnamese: sự vi phạm
Chinese translation of 'offence'
offence
or (US) offense
(əˈfɛns)
n
(c) (= crime) 罪行 (zuìxíng) (种(種), zhǒng)
(u) (= hurt feelings) 冒犯 (màofàn) (种(種), zhǒng)
(US, Sport)
the offense进(進)攻方 (jìngōng fāng)
to commit an offence犯罪 (fànzuì)
to give or cause offence (to sb)冒犯(某人) (màofàn (mǒurén))
to take offence (at sth)(因某事而)生气(氣) ((yīn mǒushì ér) shēngqì)
no offence, but ... 不要见(見)怪，但 ... (bùyào jiànguài, dàn ... )
1 (noun)
Definition
a breaking of a law or rule
It is a criminal offence to sell goods which are unsafe.
Synonyms
crime
He has committed no crime and poses no danger to the public.
wrong
I intend to right the wrong done to you.
sin
Was it a sin to have believed too much in themselves?
lapse
fault
Hypocrisy is one fault of which he cannot be accused.
violation
This is a flagrant violation of state law.
wrongdoing
The authorities haven't found any evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
trespass
Forgive us our trespasses.
felony
He pleaded guilty to six felonies.
misdemeanour
I knew nothing about my partner's misdemeanours.
delinquency
He had no history of delinquency.
misdeed
the alleged financial misdeeds of his government
transgression
tales of the candidate's alleged past transgressions
peccadillo
the peccadillos of the governing elite
unlawful act
breach of conduct
2 (noun)
Definition
annoyance or anger
The book might be published without creating offence.
Synonyms
outrage
The decision has provoked outrage from human rights groups.
shock
anger
He cried with anger and frustration.
trouble
You've caused a lot of trouble.
bother
Most men hate the bother of shaving.
grief (informal)
resentment
Rigid policing can only feed resentment and undermine confidence.
irritation
For the first time he felt irritation at her methods.
hassle (informal)
I don't think it's worth the money or the hassle.
wrath
His action incurred the wrath of animal rights activists.
indignation
No wonder he could hardly contain his indignation.
annoyance
To her annoyance the stranger did not go away.
ire (literary)
Their ire was directed mainly at the two instigators.
displeasure
displeasure at the slow pace of change
pique
In a fit of pique, he threw down his bag.
aggravation (informal)
I just couldn't take the aggravation.
hard feelings
umbrage
vexation
He kicked the broken machine in vexation.
wounded feelings
3 (noun)
Definition
a cause of annoyance or anger
Your behaviour is an offence to your hosts.
Synonyms
insult
Their behaviour was an insult to the people they represented.
injury
She was awarded compensation for the injury to her feelings.
slight
a child weeping over an imagined slight
hurt
I am sorry for any hurt that it may have caused.
harm
a release of radioactivity which would cause harm
outrage
put-down (slang)
She was getting very sick of his put-downs.
injustice
I don't want to do an injustice to what I've recorded.
snub
He took it as a snub.
affront
She has taken my enquiry as a personal affront.
indignity
He suffered the indignity of having to face angry protesters.
displeasure
rudeness
slap in the face (informal)
insolence
idiom
See take offence
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affront
Definition
a deliberate insult
She has taken my enquiry as a personal affront.
Synonyms
insult,
wrong,
injury,
abuse,
offence,
slight,
outrage,
provocation,
slur,
indignity,
slap in the face (informal),
vexation
in the sense of aggravation
I just couldn't take the aggravation.
Synonyms
annoyance,
grief (informal),
teasing,
irritation,
hassle (informal),
provocation,
gall,
exasperation,
vexation,
irksomeness
in the sense of anger
Definition
a feeling of extreme annoyance or displeasure
He cried with anger and frustration.
Synonyms
rage,
passion,
outrage,
temper,
fury,
resentment,
irritation,
wrath,
indignation,
annoyance,
agitation,
ire,
antagonism,
displeasure,
exasperation,
irritability,
spleen,
pique,
ill temper,
vehemence,
vexation,
high dudgeon,
ill humour,
choler,
be on your back (slang)
Synonyms of 'offence'
offence
Explore 'offence' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of annoyance
To her annoyance the stranger did not go away.
Synonyms
irritation,
trouble,
anger,
bother,
grief (informal),
harassment,
disturbance,
hassle (informal),
nuisance,
provocation,
displeasure,
exasperation,
aggravation (informal),
vexation,
pique,
bedevilment
in the sense of bother
Definition
a state of worry, trouble, or confusion
Most men hate the bother of shaving.
Synonyms
trouble,
problem,
worry,
difficulty,
strain,
grief (British, South Africa),
fuss,
pest,
irritation,
hassle (informal),
nuisance,
flurry,
uphill (South Africa),
inconvenience,
annoyance,
aggravation (informal),
vexation
in the sense of delinquency
He had no history of delinquency.
Synonyms
crime,
misconduct,
wrongdoing,
fault,
offence,
misdemeanour,
misdeed,
misbehaviour,
villainy,
lawbreaking
in the sense of displeasure
displeasure at the slow pace of change
Synonyms
annoyance,
anger,
resentment,
irritation,
offence,
dislike,
wrath,
dissatisfaction,
disapproval,
indignation,
distaste,
pique,
vexation,
disgruntlement,
disfavour,
disapprobation
in the sense of fault
Definition
a defect or failing
Hypocrisy is one fault of which he cannot be accused.
Synonyms
misdeed,
failing,
wrong,
offence,
sin,
lapse,
misconduct,
wrongdoing,
trespass,
frailty,
misdemeanour,
delinquency,
transgression,
peccadillo
in the sense of felony
Definition
(formerly) a serious crime, such as murder or arson
He pleaded guilty to six felonies.
Synonyms
crime,
offence,
misdemeanour,
transgression,
job (informal),
wrong,
fault,
outrage,
atrocity,
violation,
trespass,
misdeed,
unlawful act,
malfeasance,
cybercrime,
e-crime or ecrime
in the sense of harm
Definition
physical, moral, or mental injury
a release of radioactivity which would cause harm
Synonyms
injury,
suffering,
damage,
ill,
hurt,
distress
in the sense of hassle
Definition
a great deal of trouble
I don't think it's worth the money or the hassle.
Synonyms
trouble,
problem,
difficulty,
upset,
bother,
grief (informal),
trial,
struggle,
uphill (South Africa),
inconvenience
in the sense of hurt
I am sorry for any hurt that it may have caused.
Synonyms
harm,
trouble,
damage,
wrong,
loss,
injury,
misfortune,
mischief,
affliction
in the sense of indignation
Definition
anger aroused by something felt to be unfair or wrong
No wonder he could hardly contain his indignation.
Synonyms
resentment,
anger,
rage,
fury,
wrath,
ire (literary),
exasperation,
pique,
umbrage,
righteous anger
Additional synonyms
in the sense of indignity
Definition
embarrassing or humiliating treatment
He suffered the indignity of having to face angry protesters.
Synonyms
humiliation,
abuse,
outrage,
injury,
slight,
insult,
snub,
reproach,
affront,
disrespect,
dishonour,
opprobrium,
obloquy,
contumely (literary),
slap in the face (informal)
in the sense of injury
Definition
harm done to the feelings
She was awarded compensation for the injury to her feelings.
Synonyms
wrong,
abuse,
offence,
insult,
injustice,
grievance,
affront,
detriment,
disservice
in the sense of injustice
Definition
an unfair action
I don't want to do an injustice to what I've recorded.
Synonyms
wrong,
injury,
crime,
abuse,
error,
offence,
sin,
grievance,
infringement,
trespass,
misdeed,
transgression,
infraction,
bad or evil deed
in the sense of ire
Definition
anger
Their ire was directed mainly at the two instigators.
Synonyms
anger,
rage,
fury,
wrath,
passion,
indignation,
annoyance,
displeasure,
exasperation,
choler
in the sense of irritation
For the first time he felt irritation at her methods.
Synonyms
annoyance,
anger,
fury,
resentment,
wrath,
gall,
indignation,
impatience,
displeasure,
exasperation,
chagrin,
pique,
irritability,
ill temper,
shortness,
vexation,
ill humour,
testiness,
crossness,
snappiness,
infuriation
in the sense of misdeed
Definition
an evil or illegal action
the alleged financial misdeeds of his government
Synonyms
offence,
wrong,
crime,
fault,
sin,
misconduct,
trespass,
misdemeanour,
transgression,
villainy
in the sense of misdemeanour
Definition
a minor wrongdoing
I knew nothing about my partner's misdemeanours.
Synonyms
offence,
misconduct,
infringement,
trespass,
misdeed,
transgression,
misbehaviour,
peccadillo
in the sense of peccadillo
Definition
a trivial misdeed
the peccadillos of the governing elite
Synonyms
misdeed,
slip,
error,
lapse,
indiscretion,
misdemeanour,
infraction,
petty sin,
trifling fault
in the sense of pique
Definition
a feeling of resentment or irritation, such as from hurt pride
In a fit of pique, he threw down his bag.
Synonyms
resentment,
offence,
irritation,
annoyance,
huff,
displeasure,
umbrage,
hurt feelings,
vexation,
wounded pride,
miff (informal)
in the sense of put-down
She was getting very sick of his put-downs.
Synonyms
humiliation,
slight,
snub,
knock (informal),
dig,
sneer,
rebuff,
barb,
sarcasm,
kick in the teeth (slang),
gibe,
disparagement,
one in the eye (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of resentment
Rigid policing can only feed resentment and undermine confidence.
Synonyms
bitterness,
indignation,
ill feeling,
ill will,
hurt,
anger,
rage,
fury,
irritation,
grudge,
wrath,
malice,
animosity,
huff,
ire,
displeasure,
pique,
rancour,
bad blood,
umbrage,
vexation,
gall,
chip on your shoulder (informal)
in the sense of sin
Definition
any offence against a principle or standard
Was it a sin to have believed too much in themselves?
Synonyms
crime,
offence,
misdemeanour,
error,
lapse,
wrongdoing,
misdeed,
transgression,
act of evil,
guilt
in the sense of slight
Definition
an act of snubbing (someone)
a child weeping over an imagined slight
Synonyms
insult,
snub,
affront,
contempt,
disregard,
indifference,
disdain,
rebuff,
disrespect,
slap in the face (informal),
inattention,
discourtesy,
(the) cold shoulder
in the sense of snub
Definition
a deliberately insulting act or remark
He took it as a snub.
Synonyms
insult,
put-down,
humiliation,
affront,
slap in the face (informal),
brush-off (slang)
in the sense of transgression
tales of the candidate's alleged past transgressions
Synonyms
crime,
wrong,
fault,
error,
offence,
breach,
sin,
lapse,
violation,
wrongdoing,
infringement,
trespass,
misdemeanour,
misdeed,
encroachment,
misbehaviour,
contravention,
iniquity,
peccadillo,
infraction
in the sense of trespass
Definition
a sin or wrongdoing
Forgive us our trespasses.
Synonyms
sin,
crime,
fault,
error,
offence,
breach,
misconduct,
wrongdoing,
misdemeanour,
delinquency,
misdeed,
transgression,
misbehaviour,
iniquity,
infraction,
evildoing,
injury
in the sense of trouble
Definition
difficulties or problems
You've caused a lot of trouble.
Synonyms
bother,
problems,
concern,
worry,
stress,
difficulty,
anxiety,
distress,
grief (British, South Africa),
irritation,
hassle (informal),
strife,
inconvenience,
unease,
disquiet,
annoyance,
agitation,
commotion,
unpleasantness,
vexation
in the sense of vexation
He kicked the broken machine in vexation.
Synonyms
annoyance,
frustration,
irritation,
dissatisfaction,
displeasure,
exasperation,
chagrin,
pique,
aggravation (informal)
in the sense of violation
This is a flagrant violation of state law.
Synonyms
breach,
abuse,
infringement,
contravention,
trespass,
transgression,
infraction
in the sense of wrath
Definition
intense anger
His action incurred the wrath of animal rights activists.