offense

British, of·fence

[uh-fens, aw-fens, of-ens]

noun

1. a violation or breaking of a social or moral rule; transgression; sin.

   Synonyms: fault, felony, trespass

2. a transgression of the law; misdemeanor.

   Synonyms: fault, felony, trespass

3. a cause of transgression or wrong.

4. something that offends or displeases.

5. the act of offending or displeasing.

6. the feeling of resentful displeasure caused.

   to give offense.

   Synonyms: wrath, resentment, umbrage, indignation
   Antonyms: pleasure

7. the act of attacking; attack or assault.

   weapons of offense.

   Synonyms: aggression
   Antonyms: defense

8. a person, army, etc., that is attacking.

   Synonyms: foe, foe, enemy

9. Sports.

   1. the players or team unit responsible for attacking or scoring in a game.

   2. the players possessing or controlling the ball, puck, etc., or the aspects or period of a game when this obtains.

   3. a pattern or style of scoring attack.

      single-wing offense; fast-break offense.

   4. offensive effectiveness; ability to score.

      a total breakdown in offense.

10. Archaic.,  injury, harm, or hurt.

Other Word Forms

• self-offense noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of offense¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English offence, offense; in part from Middle French offens, from Latin offēnsus “collision, knock,” equivalent to offend(ere) ( offend ) + -tus suffix of verb action; in part from Middle French offense, ultimately from Latin offēnsa, feminine past participle of offendere

Idioms and Phrases

see no offense; take offense.

Synonym Study

See crime.

Example Sentences

Interim coach Terrence Whitehead, a former City player of the year for Crenshaw in 2001 and former Oregon Ducks tailback, took the reins of the offense and day-to-day operations of the program.

From Los Angeles Times

The Eagles still ran the same option offense that Russell first installed.

From Los Angeles Times

Arizona’s defense is scrappy, which we knew, but the offense could surprise people.

From Los Angeles Times

The offense has put up 97 points in two close defeats.

From Los Angeles Times

“Just taking it day by day and really focusing on us, our defense, our rebounding, our pace on offense.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breach 
• crime 
• infraction 
• misdeed 
• misdemeanor 
• sin 
• transgression 
• wrongdoing