take the offensive

VERB

attack

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ambush assail assault beat besiege blast bombard charge harm hit hurt infiltrate invade raid stab storm strike

STRONG

advance aggress bash bat bean beset biff boot bop brain bust clip clock club combat cook jump kick larrup molest mug overwhelm punch rush slog soak wallop whop

WEAK

boff chop down knock block off knock cold knock for a loop lay siege to light into pounce upon set upon turn on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist guard help leave alone lose protect retreat surrender

STRONG

decrease

WEAK

be lazy defend resist shelter shield slough off submit support sustain withstand

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.

That and finding more options to take the offensive load off Murray and Jokic, the two-time NBA MVP who’s averaging 36.5 points, 14 rebounds and 9.5 assists.

From Seattle Times • May 8, 2023

The additions of Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker are significant, and should help take the offensive load off RJ Barrett and Julius Randle, who signed a four-year contract extension in the off-season.

From New York Times • Oct. 18, 2021

The first is to take the offensive: in the absence of global agreement on how to regulate big tech platforms, Facebook will attempt to frame the debate on its own terms.

From The Verge • Apr. 2, 2019

Offensively, it was great because I knew these guys well but I'd never gotten to take the offensive reps.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2018

An army that fails to take the offensive in time might be destroyed before it can complete its preparations.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

take the offensive

Example Sentences

Related Words