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offensive
[uh-fen-siv, aw-fen-, of-en-]
adjective
causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying.
offensive television commercials.
Synonyms: ,Antonyms:unpleasant or disagreeable to the sense.
an offensive odor.
Synonyms: , , ,Antonyms:repugnant to the moral sense, good taste, or the like; insulting.
an offensive remark; an offensive joke.
Synonyms: , , , , ,pertaining to offense or attack.
the offensive movements of their troops.
Antonyms:characterized by attack; aggressive.
offensive warfare.
noun
the position or attitude of aggression or attack.
to take the offensive.
an aggressive movement or attack.
a carefully planned naval offensive.
offensive
/ əˈɛԲɪ /
adjective
unpleasant or disgusting, as to the senses
causing anger or annoyance; insulting
for the purpose of attack rather than defence
noun
an attitude or position of aggression
an assault, attack, or military initiative, esp a strategic one
Usage
Other Word Forms
- offensively adverb
- offensiveness noun
- nonoffensive adjective
- nonoffensively adverb
- nonoffensiveness noun
- overoffensive adjective
- overoffensively adverb
- overoffensiveness noun
- preoffensive adjective
- preoffensively adverb
- preoffensiveness noun
- quasi-offensive adjective
- quasi-offensively adverb
- superoffensive adjective
- superoffensively adverb
- superoffensiveness noun
- unoffensive adjective
- unoffensively adverb
- unoffensiveness noun
- ǴˈڱԲԱ noun
- ǴˈڱԲ adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of offensive1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
That strategy of decapitation of Hezbollah senior figures had devastating consequences for the group and its ability to mount a sustainable counter offensive.
The Rams did not draft an offensive lineman, but they have added a veteran just before the end of offseason workouts.
Hamas's military preparations took years - including extensive tunnel construction and the steady accumulation of rockets and weapons - but few analysts, regional actors, or even rival Palestinian factions foresaw the magnitude of the offensive.
Israel stopped all deliveries of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies to Gaza on 2 March and resumed its military offensive two weeks later, collapsing a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.
A BBC spokesperson said: "The use of such an offensive gesture is completely unacceptable and we apologise to all at the recording for the offence caused."
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