Definition of OFFEND

offend

Verb

Verb Forms: offended, offending, offends

  • To cause displeasure or resentment; to break a rule.
  • cause to feel resentment or indignation
    • "Her tactless remark offended me"
  • act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
    • "offend all laws of humanity"
  • strike with disgust or revulsion
  • hurt the feelings of
  • To hurt the feelings of; to displease; to make angry; to insult.
  • To feel or become offended; to take insult.
  • To physically harm, pain.
  • To annoy, cause discomfort or resent.
  • To sin, transgress divine law or moral rules.
  • To transgress or violate a law or moral requirement.
  • To cause to stumble; to cause to sin or to fall.

Examples

  • Don't worry. I don't offend easily.
  • He tried not to OFFEND his opponent with an unnecessarily aggressive triple-triple play.
  • Physically enjoyable frivolity can still offend the conscience
  • Strong light offends the eye.
  • Wearing faded baggy offends against the club's rules of proper dress.
  • Your accusations offend me deeply.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle French offendre, from Latin offendō (“strike, blunder, commit an offense”), from ob- (“against”) + *fendō (“strike”).

Antonyms

keep, commend, compliment, flatter, laud, praise, revere, talk up

Scrabble Score: 13

offend: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
offend: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
offend: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

offend: valid Words With Friends Word