offensive meaning and definition

OFFENSIVE noun

Definition of offensive (noun)

1. the action of attacking an enemy
   • synonyms: offence, offense

OFFENSIVE adjective

Definition of offensive (adjective)

1. violating or tending to violate or offend against
   • "violative of the principles of liberty"; "considered such depravity offensive against all laws of humanity"
   • synonyms: violative
2. for the purpose of attack rather than defense
   • "offensive weapons"
   • antonym: defensive
3. causing anger or annoyance
   • "offensive remarks"
   • antonym: inoffensive
4. morally offensive
   • "an unsavory reputation"; "an unsavory scandal"
   • synonyms: unsavory, unsavoury
   • antonym: savory
5. unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses
   • "offensive odors"
   • antonym: inoffensive
6. substitute a harsher or distasteful term for a mild one
   • "`nigger' is a dysphemistic term for `African-American'"
   • synonyms: dysphemistic
   • antonym: euphemistic
7. causing or able to cause nausea
   • "a nauseating smell"; "nauseous offal"; "a sickening stench"
   • synonyms: loathsome, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, queasy, sickening, vile