be offensive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There was also the news that council districts in Northern England had instructed schoolteachers not to encourage children in classrooms to draw any pictures that might be offensive to Muslims.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

"Do you understand how both your language and behaviour could be offensive to Sam, your housemates and the viewing public?"

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2025

Why would a striking Van Gogh landscape, “Field of Poppies,” be offensive?

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2025

Spectrum WT sued, arguing that drag wasn’t designed to be offensive and portraying it as a celebration of many things, including “queerness, gender, acceptance, love and especially femininity.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2024

Over-zeal on your part can never be offensive, Mr Woolet—at least, not to me.

From The Finger of Fate A Romance by Reid, Mayne