The meaning of OFFENSIVE is making attack : aggressive. How to use offensive in a sentence.

The word ' lady ' has connotations of refinement and excessive femininity that some women find offensive. There were those who found the joke offensive, but Johnson insisted it was just a bit …

1. An attitude or position of attack: go on the offensive in chess. 2. A physical or military attack or assault: led a massive military offensive.

Something that is offensive upsets or embarrasses people because it is rude or insulting. Some friends of his found the play horribly offensive.

There are 11 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word offensive, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Sep 22, 2025 · Relating to an offense or attack, as opposed to defensive. antonym quotations Antonym: defensive The army's offensive capabilities. An offensive weapon.

Offensive refers to something that is disagreeable, unpleasant, insulting, or causing discomfort or resentment due to its inappropriate, disrespectful, or hurtful nature.

Offensive definition: causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying.. See examples of OFFENSIVE used in a sentence.

Offensive describes rude or hurtful behavior, or a military or sports incursion into an opponent's territory. In any context, "on the offensive" means on the attack.

OFFENSIVE meaning: 1 : causing someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset rude or insulting often + to; 2 : very unpleasant