offends Meaning & Definition
What Does Offends Mean?
As a verb, offends means to transgress see {dxt|transgress||transitive 1} the moral or divine law. It is also used to mean to violate a law or rule.
Quick Facts About Offends
| Part of speech | verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ə-ˈfend/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | errs, falls and sins |
| Antonyms | forgives, justifies and pardons |
Offends Definition (Verb)
- to transgress see {dxt|transgress||transitive 1} the moral or divine law : sin
… if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive.
- to violate a law or rule : do wrong
determining whether a released prisoner is likely to offend again
- to cause difficulty, discomfort, or injury
took off his shoe and removed the offending pebble
- to cause dislike, anger, or vexation
thoughtless words that offend needlessly
- violate, transgress
… a contract not offending a statute … might still be in restraint of trade.
- to cause pain to : hurt
tasteless billboards that offend the eye
- to cause to sin or fall
- to cause (a person or group) to feel hurt, angry, or upset by something said or done
was offended by their language / I'm a little offended by your sarcastic tone. / She carefully worded her comments so as not to offend anyone.
Synonyms of Offends
Antonyms of Offends
Offends in a Sentence
Your accusations offend me deeply.
Don't worry. I don't offend easily.
Strong light offends the eye.
Physically enjoyable frivolity can still offend the conscience
… if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive.
determining whether a released prisoner is likely to offend again
took off his shoe and removed the offending pebble
thoughtless words that offend needlessly
… a contract not offending a statute … might still be in restraint of trade.
tasteless billboards that offend the eye
was offended by their language
I'm a little offended by your sarcastic tone.
She carefully worded her comments so as not to offend anyone.
since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly
the visitor unintentionally offended his hosts terribly by failing to compliment them on the elaborately prepared meal
offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code
was offended by their language / I'm a little offended by your sarcastic tone. / She carefully worded her comments so as not to offend anyone.
Word Forms & Grammar
of·fend·ed
of·fend·ing
of·fends
of·fend·er noun
offend
offended
offender
offenders
offending
offends
Words That Rhyme With Offends
Origin of Offends
Middle English offenden "to assail, violate, displease, hurt the feelings of," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French offendre, borrowed from Latin offendere "to strike against, stumble (upon), trouble, break a rule, displease, annoy," from of-, assimilated variant of ob- ob- + -fendere presumably, "to strike, hit" (unattested without prefixes) defend
First Known Use
14th centuryi
Pronouncing Offends
You say offends as /ə-ˈfend/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (fend).
Frequently Asked Questions About Offends
What part of speech is offends?
Offends is a verb.
What is another word for offends?
You can replace offends with words such as errs, falls and sins. See the full list of offends synonyms and antonyms.