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   Of·fen·sive

   adjective

   • 1. causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry: "the allegations made are deeply offensive to us" Similar insultingrudederogatorydisrespectfulhurtfulwoundingabusiveobjectionabledispleasingannoyingexasperatingirritatingvexinggallingprovocativeprovokinghumiliatingimpertinentimpudentinsolentpersonaldiscourteousuncivilimpoliteunmannerlyunacceptableshockingscandalousoutrageouscrudevulgarcoarseindecentimproperrare:exceptionableOpposite complimentarypolite
   • ▪ (of a sight or smell) disgusting; repulsive: "an offensive odor" Similar unpleasantdisagreeablenastydistastefuldispleasingobjectionableoff-puttinguninvitingawfulterribledreadfulfrightfulobnoxiousabominabledisgustingrepulsiverepellentrepugnantrevoltingabhorrentloathsomehatefuldetestableexecrableodiousvilefoulunsavoryunpalatablesickeningnauseatingnauseousuglyunsightlynoxiousfetidrankrancidmalodorousmephiticinformal:ghastlyhorriblehorridgrossputridsick-makingyuckygodawfulbeastlyboggingon the noseskankyliterary:noisomearchaic:disgustfulloathlyOpposite pleasantdelightful
   • 2. actively aggressive; attacking: "offensive operations against the insurgents" Similar hostileattackingaggressiveinvadingincursivecombativethreateningmartialwarlikebelligerentbellicoseantagonisticon the attackOpposite defensive
   • ▪ (of a weapon) meant for use in attack: "he is also accused of possessing an offensive weapon"
   • ▪ (in a game) relating to the team or player who is seeking to score: North American "Shell was an outstanding offensive tackle during his 15 years with the Raiders"

   noun

   • 1. an attacking military campaign: "an impending military offensive against the guerrillas"
   • ▪ an organized and forceful campaign to achieve something, typically a political or social end: "the need to launch an offensive against crime"

   Word Origin mid 16th century: from French offensif, -ive or medieval Latin offensivus, from Latin offens- ‘struck against’, from the verb offendere (see offend).

   Derivatives

   • 1. offensiveness noun

   Scrabble Points: 18

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › offensiveOffensive Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › offensive

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   The meaning of OFFENSIVE is making attack : aggressive. How to use offensive in a sentence.

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › offensiveOFFENSIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › offensive

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   Offensive definition: causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying. See examples of OFFENSIVE used in a sentence.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › offensiveOFFENSIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › offensive

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   noun [ C ] uk / əˈfen.sɪv / us / əˈfen.sɪv /. a planned military attack: They launched the land offensive in the middle of the night. UN troops have gone on the offensive (= started to attack). on the offensive. ready to attack someone with weapons, actions, or words before they attack you:

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › offensiveOffensive - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › offensive

   Offensive describes rude or hurtful behavior, or a military or sports incursion into an opponent's territory. In any context, "on the offensive " means on the attack. Although offense and defense are opposites, offensive and defensive aren't always.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › offensiveOFFENSIVE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › offensive

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   OFFENSIVE definition: 1. likely to make people angry or upset: 2. used for attacking: 3. an attack: . Learn more.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › offensiveOFFENSIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › offensive

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   If you conduct an offensive, you take strong action to show how angry you are about something or how much you disapprove of something. Republicans acknowledged that they had little choice but to mount an all-out offensive on the Democratic nominee.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionoffensive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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   adjective. /əˈfensɪv/. /əˈfensɪv/. rude in a way that causes somebody to feel upset or annoyed because it shows a lack of respect. offensive remarks. The programme contains language which some viewers may find offensive. racially offensive language/comments.