offensive
1 of 2adjective
of·fen·sive ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 
especially for sense 1
ˈä-ˌfen(t)- ˈȯ-
1
a
: making attack : aggressive
The bear made offensive movements.
b
: of, relating to, or designed for attack
offensive weapons
c
: of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or contest
offensive maneuvers
also : of or relating to a team in possession of the ball or puck
offensive linemen
2
: giving painful or unpleasant sensations : nauseous, obnoxious
an offensive odor
3
: causing displeasure or resentment
offensive remarks
offensively adverb
offensiveness noun
offensive
2 of 2noun
1
: the act of an attacking party
2
: attack
Synonyms
Adjective
- abhorrent
- abominable
- appalling
- awful
- disgusting
- distasteful
- dreadful
- evil
- foul
- fulsome
- gross
- hideous
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrid
- loathsome
- nasty
- nauseating
- nauseous
- noisome
- noxious
- obnoxious
- obscene
- odious
- rancid
- repellent
- repellant
- repugnant
- repulsive
- revolting
- scandalous
- shocking
- sickening
- ugly
Noun
- aggression
- assault
- attack
- attempt
- blitz
- blitzkrieg
- charge
- coup de main
- descent
- offense
- offence
- onset
- onslaught
- raid
- rush
- strike
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective He made some offensive remarks. An offensive odor was coming from the basement. Noun the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow
Recent Examples on the Web
Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 Belichick noted that Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada uses Claypool in multiple ways and multiple situations. Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2022 Now, Moore enters his third year as Cowboys offensive coordinator. Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 In the offseason, the Raiders imported leadership from New England, where new general manager Dave Ziegler was the director of player personnel and new head coach Josh McDaniels was the offensive coordinator for the Patriots. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2022 Despite an ugly first half in the Bears’ Week 1 win over the San Francisco 49ers, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy liked quarterback Justin Fields’ mindset. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022 Lighted only by a single window in the back of the room, Louisville first-year offensive coordinator Lance Taylor’s corner office is decorated with game balls, photos and various football paraphernalia. Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 16 Sep. 2022 McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith, quarterback coach Darrell Bevell and Tagovailoa were working their first regular season game together in their roles last week. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2022 Addison’s deep speed is undoubtedly his most dangerous asset, one that any self-respecting offensive coordinator would seek to exploit. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 Kristine Gill, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 Liberating the city, or even being close enough to use artillery to disrupt Russia’s supply lines, could isolate Russian forces in the city of Izyum to the south, which Moscow had sought to use for an offensive of its own. James Marson, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Both will see lots of action, with Stutts setting the tone for an offensive that wants to be physically dominant. Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2022 The rocket launchers are wreaking havoc far behind Russian lines, destroying ammunition depots, air defense systems, and headquarters locations, laying the groundwork for the Ukrainian Army offensive in Kherson. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 7 Sep. 2022 Recent weeks have seen many Ukrainians who fled the country return home, but in many cases that’s because Russian forces withdrew from the area around the capital, Kyiv, regrouping for an offensive in the east. Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2022 For the Donbas offensive, Russia has reassembled troops who fought around Kyiv and in northern Ukraine. David Keyton, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Apr. 2022 For the Donbas offensive, Russia has reassembled troops who fought around Kyiv and in northern Ukraine. David Keyton, ajc, 24 Apr. 2022 Russia has been building up forces for a new offensive in the east for weeks, refocusing its efforts on Ukraine's industrial heartland after failing to seize the capital, Kyiv, and suffering a series of setbacks through the first phase of the war. NBC News, 18 Apr. 2022 See More
Adjective
Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman talks about playing Miami Dolphins on Sunday and the offense against the Jets last Sunday. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 Belichick noted that Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Matt Canada uses Claypool in multiple ways and multiple situations. Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2022 Now, Moore enters his third year as Cowboys offensive coordinator. Jori Epstein, USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2022 In the offseason, the Raiders imported leadership from New England, where new general manager Dave Ziegler was the director of player personnel and new head coach Josh McDaniels was the offensive coordinator for the Patriots. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 16 Sep. 2022 Despite an ugly first half in the Bears’ Week 1 win over the San Francisco 49ers, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy liked quarterback Justin Fields’ mindset. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022 Lighted only by a single window in the back of the room, Louisville first-year offensive coordinator Lance Taylor’s corner office is decorated with game balls, photos and various football paraphernalia. Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 16 Sep. 2022 McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith, quarterback coach Darrell Bevell and Tagovailoa were working their first regular season game together in their roles last week. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2022 Addison’s deep speed is undoubtedly his most dangerous asset, one that any self-respecting offensive coordinator would seek to exploit. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2022 Noun
In short, Everitt McCormack says the most successful boards will be able to leverage technology for the offensive. Kristine Gill, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 Liberating the city, or even being close enough to use artillery to disrupt Russia’s supply lines, could isolate Russian forces in the city of Izyum to the south, which Moscow had sought to use for an offensive of its own. James Marson, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Both will see lots of action, with Stutts setting the tone for an offensive that wants to be physically dominant. Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2022 The rocket launchers are wreaking havoc far behind Russian lines, destroying ammunition depots, air defense systems, and headquarters locations, laying the groundwork for the Ukrainian Army offensive in Kherson. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 7 Sep. 2022 Recent weeks have seen many Ukrainians who fled the country return home, but in many cases that’s because Russian forces withdrew from the area around the capital, Kyiv, regrouping for an offensive in the east. Cara Anna, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2022 For the Donbas offensive, Russia has reassembled troops who fought around Kyiv and in northern Ukraine. David Keyton, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Apr. 2022 For the Donbas offensive, Russia has reassembled troops who fought around Kyiv and in northern Ukraine. David Keyton, ajc, 24 Apr. 2022 Russia has been building up forces for a new offensive in the east for weeks, refocusing its efforts on Ukraine's industrial heartland after failing to seize the capital, Kyiv, and suffering a series of setbacks through the first phase of the war. NBC News, 18 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French offensif, borrowed from Medieval Latin offensīvus "used for attacking, causing injury," from Latin offensus, past participle of offendere "to strike against, break a rule, offend" + -īvus -ive
Noun
derivative of offensive entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
circa 1564, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1687, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing offensive
Kids Definition
offensive 1 of 2
adjective
of·fen·sive ə-ˈfen-siv
1
: causing displeasure or resentment
an offensive smell
an offensive question
2
: of or relating to the attempt to score in a game or contest
the offensive team
3
: made for or relating to an attack
offensive weapons
an offensive strategy
offensive
2 of 2noun
: attack entry 2 sense 1
The enemy launched an offensive.
Legal Definition
offensive
adjective
of·fen·sive ə-ˈfen-siv
1
: of, relating to, or designed for attack
offensive weapons
2
: causing displeasure or resentment
especially : contrary to a particular or prevailing sense of what is decent, proper, or moral
depicted sexual acts in a patently offensive way
see also obscene offensives
noun
as in attacks
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- attacks
- raids
- onslaughts
- assaults
- offenses
- attempts
- strikes
- bombardments
- aggressions
- blitzes
- blitzkriegs
- counterattacks
- incursions
- invasions
- ambushes
- rushes
- barrages
- onsets
- bombings
- counteroffensives
- offences
- sieges
- charges
- sorties
- counterstrikes
- descents
- ambuscades
- counter-attacks
- coups de main
- forays
- sallies
- counter-strikes
- breakthroughs
- envelopments
- ravages
- volleys
- air raids
- sacks
- salvos
- pillages
- cannonades
- fusillades
- counter-assaults
- counter-aggressions
- counterassaults
- storms
- counteraggressions
- salvoes
- hails
- whammies
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- defenses
- defensives
- guards
- shields
- oppositions
- resistances
- securities
- protections
- shelters