offend
[ uh-fend ]
/ əˈfɛnd /
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger: a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.
to err in conduct; commit a sin, crime, or fault.
Origin of offend
1275–1325; Middle English
offenden < Middle French
offendre < Latin
offendere to strike against, displease, equivalent to
of-
of- +
-fendere to strike
SYNONYMS FOR offend
OTHER WORDS FROM offend
Words nearby offend
offboard,
offcast,
offcut,
offenbach,
offence,
offend,
offense,
offenseless,
offensive,
offer,
offer document
Example sentences from the Web for offend
British Dictionary definitions for offend
offend
/ (əˈfɛnd) /
verb
to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person)
(tr)
to be disagreeable to; disgust
the smell offended him
(intr except in archaic uses)
to break (a law or laws in general)
Derived forms of offend
offender, noun offending, adjectiveWord Origin for offend
C14: via Old French
offendre to strike against, from Latin
offendere, from
ob- against +
fendere to strike