Definitions for offensive
əˈfɛn sɪv or, for 4,5 , ˈɔ fɛn-, ˈɒf ɛn-of·fen·sive

Princeton's WordNet(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. offense, offence, offensiveadjective

   the action of attacking an enemy

2. offensive, violativeadjective

   violating or tending to violate or offend against

   "violative of the principles of liberty"; "considered such depravity offensive against all laws of humanity"

3. offensiveadjective

   for the purpose of attack rather than defense

   "offensive weapons"

4. offensiveadjective

   causing anger or annoyance

   "offensive remarks"

5. unsavory, unsavoury, offensiveadjective

   morally offensive

   "an unsavory reputation"; "an unsavory scandal"

6. offensiveadjective

   unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses

   "offensive odors"

7. dysphemistic, offensiveadjective

   substitute a harsher or distasteful term for a mild one

   "`nigger' is a dysphemistic term for `African-American'"

8. nauseating, nauseous, noisome, queasy, loathsome, offensive, sickening, vileadjective

   causing or able to cause nausea

   "a nauseating smell"; "nauseous offal"; "a sickening stench"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. offensivenoun

   An attack.

   The Marines today launched a major offensive.

2. offensivenoun

   The posture of attacking or being able to attack.

   He took the offensive in the press, accusing his opponent of corruption.

3. offensiveadjective

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

   Some feminists find pornography offensive.

4. offensiveadjective

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

   The army's offensive capabilities. An offensive weapon.

5. offensiveadjective

   Having to do with play directed at scoring.

   The offensive coordinator is responsible for ordering all rushing plays.

6. Etymology: From offensif, from as if *, from offendere, past participle offensus; see offend.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Offensiveadjective

   Etymology: offensif, Fr. from offensus, Lat.

   1. Causing anger; displeasing; disgusting.

   Since no man can do ill with a good conscience, the consolation which we herein seem to find is but a meer deceitful pleasing of ourselves in error, which at the length must needs turn to our greater grief, if that which we do to please God most, be for the manifold defects thereof offensive unto him. Richard Hooker, b. v. s. 4.

   It shall suffice, to touch such customs of the Irish as seem offensive and repugnant to the good government of the realm. Edmund Spenser, on Ireland.

   2. Causing pain; injurious.

   It is an excellent opener for the liver, but offensive to the stomach. Francis Bacon, Nat. Hist.

   Some particular acrimony in the stomach sometimes makes it offensive, and which custom at last will overcome. Arbuth.

   3. Assailant; not defensive.

   He recounted the benefits and favours that he had done him, in provoking a mighty and opulent king by an offensive war in his quarrel. Francis Bacon.

   We enquire concerning the advantages and disadvantages betwixt those military offensive engines used among the ancients, and those of these latter ages. John Wilkins.

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. offensive

   Used in attack; assailant; opposed to defensive; as, an offensive weapon or engine. Making the first attack; assailant; invading: opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war.

How to pronounce offensive?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say offensive in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of offensive in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of offensive in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of offensive in a Sentence

1. Durham County Sheriff Mike Andrews:

   We decided that restraint and public safety would be our priority, as the Sheriff, I am not blind to the offensive conduct of some demonstrators nor will I ignore their criminal conduct.

2. Scott Morrison:

   ( Kiyoshi Ota/Pool Photo via AP, File) Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Zhaos tweet was utterly outrageous and a terrible slur against Australias military. It is truly repugnant. It is deeply offensive to every Australian, every Australian who has served in that uniform, he told reporters in Canberra. The Chinese government should be totally ashamed of this post. The Chinese government diminishes them in the worlds eyes. CHINESE STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA FALL VICTIM TO VIRTUAL KIDNAPPING SCAMS : Prime Minister Scott Morrison said The Chinese government had contacted Twitter asking it to take the post down. The post had a warning tag on it by Monday afternoon but could still be viewed. Zhaos account comes with a Twitter label stating that its a Chinese government account. Despite China blocking Twitter and other U.S. social media platforms within the county, Chinese diplomats and state media have established a strong presence on them. Zhao Lijian was criticized by the U.S. in March after tweeting a conspiracy theory that U.S. soldiers may have brought the coronavirus to China. Zhao Lijian is considered a leading representative of Chinas high-pitched new strain of assertive foreign relations. Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged there were tensions between China and Australia. But this is not how you deal with them.

3. Bill Clinton:

   Comments like this are offensive and they have no place in our political dialogue, it should be repudiated by every person of good faith and concern about the necessity to keep our political dialogue about the facts and within suitable boundaries.

4. Jack Robinson:

   It is offensive that the state of Colorado prosecuted Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop for bringing his Christian faith to bear in his decision not to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple, yet business owners who decide to refuse service to a Christian wanting Bible verses on cakes are exonerated by the state.

5. Blake Griffin:

   We just calmed down, trusted our offense, executed and got stops defensively, which led to easy baskets on the offensive end.

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