Synonyms

offend

American

[uh-fend] / əˈfɛnd /

verb (used with object)

to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in.

Even the hint of prejudice offends me.

Synonyms:

insult, affront, nettle, chafe, provoke

Antonyms:

please
to affect (the sense, taste, etc.) disagreeably.
to violate or transgress (a criminal, religious, or moral law).
to hurt or cause pain to.
(in Biblical use) to cause to fall into sinful ways.

verb (used without object)

to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger.

a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.
to err in conduct; commit a sin, crime, or fault.

Synonyms:

trespass, transgress

offend British

/ əˈfɛnd /

verb

to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person)
(tr) to be disagreeable to; disgust

the smell offended him
(intr except in archaic uses) to break (a law or laws in general)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of offend

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English offenden, from Middle French offendre, from Latin offendere “to strike against, displease,” from of- of- + -fendere “to strike” ( see also bane ( def. ))

Explanation

If you hurt someone's feelings, you offend that person. You might accidentally offend your friend when you joke about the worst restaurant in town, not realizing it's her favorite place to eat. If you do something that makes another person resent you, you offend them. Your friends might not mind because you're so humble, but it could offend other classmates when the teachers always pick you for awards and honors. You also offend when you cause disgust or distaste. After your week of camping — and not showering — your smell will probably offend the nose of anyone who has to sit near you.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It seems it was either unaware—or unbothered—that renaming MetLife for the World Cup as “New York New Jersey Stadium” might offend sensibilities west of the Hudson River.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Yet the majority treats Louisiana’s mapmaking choices that offend Section 2 as if they arrived unmarked by history.

From Slate • May 8, 2026

Friends and family often avoid asking questions altogether because "they're not sure if they'll offend me... so they avoid the topic completely".

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Not to offend our Lone Star friends, but so far this is all hat and no cattle.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

They surround Alex with love and look at him as if he’s the crown jewel...then they glare at me as if I offend them just by existing.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023