the action of attacking an enemy
offensive
How to use offensive in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for offensive.
Editorial note
And really, we don't want to be crass or offensive.
Quick take
the action of attacking an enemy
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of offensive gathered in one view.
violating or tending to violate or offend against; "violative of the principles of liberty"; "considered such depravity offensive against all laws of humanity"
for the purpose of attack rather than defense; "offensive weapons"
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for offensive.
noun
the action of attacking an enemy
adjective
violating or tending to violate or offend against; "violative of the principles of liberty"; "considered such depravity offensive against all laws of humanity"
See also: violative
adjective
for the purpose of attack rather than defense; "offensive weapons"
adjective
causing anger or annoyance; "offensive remarks"
adjective
morally offensive; "an unsavory reputation"; "an unsavory scandal"
adjective
unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses; "offensive odors"
adjective
substitute a harsher or distasteful term for a mild one ; "`nigger' is a dysphemistic term for `African-American'"
See also: dysphemistic
adjective
causing or able to cause nausea; "a nauseating smell"; "nauseous offal"; "a sickening stench"
See also: nauseating, nauseous, noisome, queasy, loathsome, sickening, vile
Example sentences
And really, we don't want to be crass or offensive.
Your office has a culture offensive to women and/or minorities.
Having it be automated so it can waste hours and hours without any human feedback is extremely offensive.
"Should have no problems working in a creative and potentially offensive environment.
I genuinely think most men are in the better bucket: we aren't offensive, and provide mostly non-hostile work environments.
It turns out there's a whole group of men in tech who are blatantly offensive, harassing, and generally sexist towards women just because they were women.
On my part, I'm going to continue to comment on public policy based on verifiable facts and reason and logic, even if that seems offensive.
Where the author of the article may have failed in some of the important technical details of the article, you have also failed in presenting your corrections in a somewhat offensive manner.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use offensive in a sentence?
And really, we don't want to be crass or offensive.
What does offensive mean?
the action of attacking an enemy
What part of speech is offensive?
offensive is commonly used as noun, adjective.