Offend: meaning, definitions and examples

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offend

 

[ əˈfɛnd ]

Context #1 | Verb

inappropriate behavior

To cause someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset by something said or done; to insult or harm someone's feelings.

Synonyms

displease, hurt, insult, upset

Examples of usage

  • She was deeply offended by his rude remarks.
  • His comments offended many people at the party.
Context #2 | Verb

break a law or rule

To commit an illegal or immoral act; to violate a law or rule.

Synonyms

breach, disobey, transgress, violate

Examples of usage

  • His actions clearly offended the company's code of conduct.
  • The graffiti on the wall offended city ordinances.

Translations

Translations of the word "offend" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ofender

🇮🇳 अपमानित करना (apmānit karnā)

🇩🇪 beleidigen

🇮🇩 menyinggung

🇺🇦 ображати

🇵🇱 obrazić

🇯🇵 侮辱する (ぶじょくする, bujoku suru)

🇫🇷 offenser

🇪🇸 ofender

🇹🇷 gücendirmek

🇰🇷 모욕하다 (moyokhada)

🇸🇦 يهين (yuhīn)

🇨🇿 urazit

🇸🇰 uraziť

🇨🇳 冒犯 (màofàn)

🇸🇮 užaliti

🇮🇸 móðga

🇰🇿 ренжіту

🇬🇪 შეურაცხყოფა (sheuratskhq'opa)

🇦🇿 təhqir etmək

🇲🇽 ofender

Word origin

The word 'offend' has its origins in Middle English, from the Old French word 'offendre', which in turn comes from the Latin 'offendere', meaning 'to strike against'. The sense of 'insult or harm someone's feelings' dates back to the 14th century, while the meaning 'break a law or rule' emerged later in the 16th century.

See also: offence, offended, offender, offense, offensive.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,781, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.