offend

[uh-fend] / əˈfɛnd /

VERB

displease, insult

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggrieve anger annoy antagonize disgust disturb exasperate gall horrify hurt irritate outrage provoke rile shock sicken sting upset

STRONG

affront disgruntle disoblige distress fret jar miff nauseate nettle pain pique repel repulse sin slight slur snub transgress trespass vex wound

WEAK

be disagreeable turn one off zing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist assuage calm comfort cure delight heal help make happy order placate please quiet soothe

STRONG

agree appease attract behave compliment flatter mollify obey praise

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.

Yet the majority treats Louisiana’s mapmaking choices that offend Section 2 as if they arrived unmarked by history.

From Slate • May 8, 2026

Friends and family often avoid asking questions altogether because "they're not sure if they'll offend me... so they avoid the topic completely".

From BBC • May 5, 2026

McVay took pains to remind that the Rams are Stafford’s team, seemingly to not offend the Rams’ most important player.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

"I didn't mean to offend anyone," he said, seeming shy and uncomfortable with the media attention the project has generated.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

I didn’t want to offend Pachamama, and if she felt I wasn’t worthy to plant, then I would not have done so again.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis

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