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offensivecausing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈfensɪv/

Example Sentences

  • His offensive joke about pizza pineapple started a heated debate in the restaurant.
  • The smell from his gym socks was so offensive that even his dog ran away.
  • The soccer team's offensive play was so weak that the goalkeeper fell asleep.

offensive

ADJECTIVE

[/əˈfensɪv/]

causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry

The comment was considered offensive by many people.
💡 Concept

The comment was considered offensive by many people.

The offensive advertisement sparked public criticism. (ATTACKING + INSULTING = OFFENSIVE)
🧠 Mnemonic

The offensive advertisement sparked public criticism. (ATTACKING + INSULTING = OFFENSIVE)

An offensive remark can make others defensive and apprehensive.
🎵 Rhyme

An offensive remark can make others defensive and apprehensive.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈfensɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈfensɪv/

🌳Etymology

Rootoffens
Suffix--ive

Origin

From Latin 'offensivus', derived from 'offendere' meaning 'to strike against' or 'to displease', composed of 'ob-' (against) and 'fendere' (to strike). The word entered English in the 16th century through Old French.

Breakdown

offend (from Latin offendere: ob- (against) + fendere (strike)) + -ive (adjective suffix meaning 'tending to' or 'serving to') = offensive

🎵Rhyme

expensiveextensivedefensive
expensive
extensive
defensive

🔗Collocations

offensive language
offensive behavior
take the offensive
offensive strategy
launch an offensive
offensive weapon
highly offensive

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

His offensive joke about pizza pineapple started a heated debate in the restaurant.

😄 Fun example

The smell from his gym socks was so offensive that even his dog ran away.

😄 Fun example

The soccer team's offensive play was so weak that the goalkeeper fell asleep.

She found his comments about her cooking deeply offensive.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

insultingrudeaggressiveattackinghurtful

Antonyms

defensivepoliterespectful

Related

offenseoffendoffenderoffensively

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