OFFENSIVE

offensive

(adjective) unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses; “offensive odors”

unsavory, unsavoury, offensive

(adjective) morally offensive; “an unsavory reputation”; “an unsavory scandal”

offensive

(adjective) causing anger or annoyance; “offensive remarks”

offensive

(adjective) for the purpose of attack rather than defense; “offensive weapons”

offensive, violative

(adjective) violating or tending to violate or offend against; “violative of the principles of liberty”; “considered such depravity offensive against all laws of humanity”

nauseating, nauseous, noisome, queasy, loathsome, offensive, sickening, vile

(adjective) causing or able to cause nausea; “a nauseating smell”; “nauseous offal”; “a sickening stench”

offense, offence, offensive

(noun) the action of attacking an enemy

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adjective

offensive (comparative more offensive, superlative most offensive)

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

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

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

Usage notes

• Nouns to which "offensive" is often applied: content, material, language, word, comment, remark, statement, speech, joke, humor, image, picture, art, behavior, conduct, act, action.

• When the second syllable is emphasized, "offensive" is defined as "insulting". When the first syllable is emphasized, it refers to the attacker in a conflict or a sport.

Synonyms

• aggressive

• invidious (Intending to cause envious offense)

Antonyms

• inoffensive (not causing offense or disgust)

• defensive (relating or causing defence)

Noun

offensive (countable and uncountable, plural offensives)

(countable, military) An attack.

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

Source: Wiktionary

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Of*fen"sive, a. Etym: [Cf.F. offensif. See Offend.]

1. Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words.

2. Giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell; offensive sounds. "Offensive to the stomach." Bacon.

3. Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in attacking; -- opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war; offensive weapons. League offensive and defensive, a leaque that requires all the parties to it to make war together against any foe, and to defend one another if attacked.

Syn.

– Displeasing; disagreeable; distasteful; obnoxious; abhorrent; disgusting; impertinent; rude; saucy; reproachful; opprobrious; insulting; insolent; abusive; scurrilous; assailant; attacking; invading.

– Of*fen"sive*ly, adv.

– Of*fen"sive*ness, n.

Of*fen"sive, n.

Definition: The state or posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; -- opposed to defensive. To act on the offensive, to be the attacking party.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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