Offend: meaning, definitions and examples
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offend
[ əˈfɛnd ]
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.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| offend |
Use when someone's actions or words cause someone to feel hurt or upset, often unintentionally. It's a broad term that can describe hurting someone's feelings, breaking social etiquette, or causing moral discomfort.
|
| hurt |
Use when someone’s actions or words cause emotional or physical pain. It conveys a sense of injury and emotional impact.
|
| upset |
Use when someone's actions or words cause someone to feel disturbed, unhappy, or saddened. It is less severe than 'hurt' but still implies a significant emotional impact.
|
| insult |
Use when someone's words or actions are explicitly disrespectful or degrading. It often implies intent to harm someone's dignity or pride.
|
| displease |
Use when someone's actions or words cause a mild form of annoyance or when something doesn't meet expectations. It’s less intense than 'offend' and 'insult' and not necessarily emotional.
|
Examples of usage
- She was deeply offended by his rude remarks.
- His comments offended many people at the party.
break a law or rule
To commit an illegal or immoral act; to violate a law or rule.
Synonyms
breach, disobey, transgress, violate.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| offend |
Used when someone's feelings are hurt or someone is upset by something inappropriate or insulting.
|
| violate |
Used to describe breaking laws, rules, or personal boundaries, and may have a stronger negative connotation.
|
| transgress |
Typically used in formal or religious contexts to describe violating a moral or ethical boundary.
|
| breach |
Commonly used in legal or formal contexts to describe breaking a law, agreement, or rule.
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| disobey |
Used when not following orders, rules, or instructions, especially from an authority figure.
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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
Etymology
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.