Offensive (Adjective)
Meaning 1
For the purpose of attack rather than defense; "offensive weapons".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The military campaign was waged with purely offensive strategies, aiming to capture the enemy's stronghold.
- The country's development of nuclear missiles was seen as a highly offensive capability that threatened global security.
- The team's offense was led by a star quarterback who consistently threw for touchdowns.
- Insurgents often employ ambushes and other offensive tactics to attack unsuspecting government troops.
- The enemy's use of chemical gas was deemed an inhumane and highly offensive tactic by international critics.
Antonyms
Meaning 2
Causing or able to cause nausea; "a nauseating smell"; "nauseous offal"; "a sickening stench".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Morally offensive; "an unsavory reputation"; "an unsavory scandal".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The comedian's jokes about the politician's scandalous affair were deemed offensive to some members of the audience.
- Her off-color comments during the dinner party were met with shock and outrage from the other guests, and left an offensive aftertaste that lingered for weeks.
- The dictator's brutal tactics against dissidents have been condemned as morally offensive by the international community.
- His decision to continue operating the polluting factory in a residential area has led to a mounting scandal and left his company with an increasingly unsavory reputation.
- After numerous employees filed lawsuits against him, the entrepreneur was widely shunned due to the perception of an extremely morally and behaviorally offensive track record in dealing with workplace allegations.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 4
Violating or tending to violate or offend against; "violative of the principles of liberty"; "considered such depravity offensive against all laws of humanity".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The company's sexist advertisement was deemed highly offensive and sparked a public outcry.
- His joke about a sensitive topic was considered offensive and he apologized for his thoughtlessness.
- The documentary's graphic content was offensive to some viewers and included a warning at the beginning.
- The artist's latest installation was meant to be thought-provoking but was considered offensive by many in the community.
- The comedian's stand-up routine was accused of being offensive and perpetuating negative stereotypes.
Synonyms
Related Words
Meaning 5
Unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses; "offensive odors".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The smell of rotting garbage was extremely offensive and made it hard to breathe.
- The neighbors complained about the offensive noise coming from the construction site next door.
- The patient's wound had become infected and was emitting an offensive odor that filled the entire room.
- The city's sewer system was in disrepair, causing offensive smells to waft through the streets.
- The restaurant's dumpster was overflowing with trash, creating an offensive mess that attracted pests.
Antonyms
Related Words
Meaning 6
Causing anger or annoyance; "offensive remarks".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- His derogatory comments about her culture were considered highly offensive by many in the audience.
- The comedian's jokes were humorous to some, but his use of explicit language and stereotypes was deemed equally offensive by others.
- The politician's speech contained several offensive remarks that sparked outrage among her opponents.
- The advertising campaign was pulled after several consumers complained that the imagery was overtly suggestive and generally considered to be highly offensive.
- After listening to her hurtful words, she was reprimanded for her entirely uncalled-for and overtly offensive language towards the volunteers.