offensive

noun

(uncountable) The posture of attacking or being able to attack.

(countable, military) An attack.

adjective

Causing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, hatred, sadness, or indignation.

Relating to an offense or attack, as opposed to defensive.

(sports) Having to do with play directed at scoring.

Roots

fendofens- · Latin · strike, ward off

Synonyms for offensive

offensen vileadj unsavoryadj loathsomeadj noisomeadj nauseatingadj insultingadj sickeningadj objectionableadj vulgaradj counteroffensiven hatefuladj obsceneadj obnoxiousadj fouladj

Synonyms & related words for offensive

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of offensive — including offense, vile, unsavory, loathsome, noisome, nauseating. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to offensive

Explore words related to offensive — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include offensively, violative, unoffensive, incursive, defensive, offenseless, assaultive, defensively. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for offensive

Common synonyms for offensive include offense, vile, unsavory, loathsome, noisome, nauseating, insulting, sickening — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does offensive come from?

The word offensive breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root fens-, from Latin fendo (“strike, ward off”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.