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offense — an act of attacking or aggression

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: an act of attacking or aggression

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈfens/

Example Sentences

  • My cooking is so bad, even the smoke detector takes offense.
  • The basketball team's offense scored 120 points.
  • Parking in a handicapped space is a serious offense.

offense

NOUN

[/əˈfens/]

an act of attacking or aggression

The player's offense helped the team score many points.
💡 Concept

The player's offense helped the team score many points.

The referee called an offense during the game. (ATTACK + VIOLATION = OFFENSE)
🧠 Mnemonic

The referee called an offense during the game. (ATTACK + VIOLATION = OFFENSE)

he offense and defense created an intense competition.
🎵 Rhyme

he offense and defense created an intense competition.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈfens/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈfens/

🌳Etymology

Rootfens
Suffix--e

Origin

The word derives from Latin offendere, meaning 'to strike against' or 'to attack'. Through semantic evolution, it developed its modern senses of 'attack', 'hurt feelings', and 'violation'.

Breakdown

ob- (against) + fendere (to strike)

🎵Rhyme

defenseexpenseintense
defense
expense
intense

🔗Collocations

take offense
no offense
criminal offense
on the offense
minor offense
give offense

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My cooking is so bad, even the smoke detector takes offense.”

“The basketball team's offense scored 120 points.”

“Parking in a handicapped space is a serious offense.”

😄 Fun example

“No offense, but your haircut looks like you stuck your finger in an electrical socket.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

attackassaultaggressionviolationtransgression

Antonyms

defenseprotectionpraise

Related

offendoffensiveoffenderdefendant

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