The meaning of OFFENSIVE is making attack : aggressive. How to use offensive in a sentence. OFFENSIVE definition: causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying.

Understanding the Context

See examples of offensive used in a sentence. The word ' lady ' has connotations of refinement and excessive femininity that some women find offensive. There were those who found the joke offensive, but Johnson insisted it was just a bit of harmless fun. 1.

Key Insights

An attitude or position of attack: go on the offensive in chess. 2. A physical or military attack or assault: led a massive military offensive. offensive (comparative more offensive, superlative most offensive) Causing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, hatred, sadness, or indignation. offensive, adj.

Final Thoughts

& n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary offensive, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ... Used to describe something that causes someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry. This term is often broad and can refer to verbal, visual, or physical actions.

His comments were highly offensive to many listeners. She found the joke offensive and asked him to stop.