offensive

(noun, adjective)

adjective

1. violating or tending to violate or offend against

- considered such depravity offensive against all laws of humanity

Similar word(s): offending, violative

2. for the purpose of attack rather than defense

- offensive weapons

Similar word(s): aggressive, hostile, antipersonnel, assaultive, attacking, incursive, invading, invasive, marauding, predatory, raiding

3. causing anger or annoyance

- offensive remarks

Similar word(s): harmful, abusive, opprobrious, scurrilous, disrespectful

4. morally offensive

Similar word(s): unsavory, unsavoury

5. unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses

- offensive odors

Similar word(s): evil, hateful, abhorrent, detestable, obscene, repugnant, repulsive, charnel, ghastly, sepulchral, creepy, disgustful, disgusting, distasteful, foul, loathly, loathsome, repellant, repellent, repelling, revolting, wicked, yucky, ghoulish, morbid, hideous, horrid, horrific, outrageous, objectionable, obnoxious, rank, scrimy, verminous, unpalatable, unpleasant

6. causing or able to cause nausea

Similar word(s): unwholesome, loathsome, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, queasy, sickening, vile

Sentences with offensive as an adjective:

- The army's offensive capabilities. An offensive weapon.

- The offensive coordinator is responsible for ordering all rushing plays.

noun

1. the action of attacking an enemy

Similar word(s): offence, offense

Definition categories: act, operation

Sentences with offensive as a noun:

- The Marines today launched a major offensive.

- He took the offensive in the press, accusing his opponent of corruption.