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Offensives Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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offensives

[əˈfɛnsɪvz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

military strategy

Military operations that are intended to attack and seize enemy territory or inflict damage on the opposing forces. Offensives are often characterized by aggressive and coordinated actions aimed at achieving a strategic advantage.

Synonyms

assault, attack, onslaught.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
attack

A general term used in both physical and non-physical conflict situations. Can refer to anything from a military strike to a verbal confrontation and even medical conditions.

  • The hackers launched an attack on the company's servers.
  • During the debate, one candidate launched a harsh attack on the other's policies.
assault

Used to describe a sudden, intense attack, often involving physical force or violence. Frequently used in legal, military, and personal crime contexts.

  • The police arrested the man for assault.
  • The army planned a midnight assault on the enemy base.
onslaught

Describes a fierce or destructive attack, often overwhelming in nature. Can be used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming number of things or events occurring simultaneously.

  • The defensive lines broke under the enemy's onslaught.
  • She faced an onslaught of emails after the news was published.

Examples of usage

  • The general ordered a massive offensive to push back the enemy forces.
  • The offensive successfully captured several key positions along the front line.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

An aggressive and provocative action or remark that is likely to cause outrage or anger. Offensives can be verbal, physical, or symbolic in nature.

Synonyms

insult, outrage, provocation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
insult

Use in situations where you want to talk about a disrespectful or rude remark directed at someone.

  • She felt hurt by his insult
  • That comment was meant to insult her
provocation

Use to discuss actions or words meant to deliberately annoy or anger someone, often leading to a strong reaction.

  • His constant provocation is hard to ignore
  • The insult was seen as a provocation to fight
outrage

Use when describing a strong reaction of anger or shock, usually towards a serious wrongdoing or injustice.

  • The news of the scam caused public outrage
  • The community felt outrage over the unfair decision

Examples of usage

  • His offensive comments offended many people in the audience.
  • She took his behavior as a personal offensive and decided to confront him.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'offensivus', meaning 'causing offense'. It evolved to describe military strategies in the 19th century.
  • In World War I, offensives were large-scale military operations aimed at gaining territory and disrupting enemy forces.

Military Strategy

  • In military terms, an offensive is initiated by the attacking side, often resulting in significant strategic battles.
  • Famous examples of historical offensives include the D-Day invasion during World War II, where Allied forces successfully stormed Normandy.

Pop Culture

  • Offensive strategies have been depicted in many films and books, showcasing the struggle between good and evil forces.
  • Video games often incorporate 'offensive' maneuvers, where players attack opponents, mirroring real-life tactical planning.

Psychology

  • Talking about 'offensives' in arguments can show how people use aggressive tactics to assert dominance in discussions.
  • Psychologists note that being 'offensive' can often lead to conflict in social situations, affecting relationships.

Literature

  • Offensives are often a central theme in literature, representing the struggle between protagonists and antagonists.
  • Classic novels sometimes depict offensives as critical turning points in the story, driving character development and plot progression.

Origin of 'offensives'

The term 'offensive' originated from the Latin word 'offendere', which means 'to strike against'. In military contexts, the concept of offensives has been a key element of warfare throughout history, with various strategies and tactics developed to achieve victory through aggressive actions. In informal usage, 'offensive' refers to actions or remarks that are intended to provoke or cause harm, often leading to conflicts or disagreements.

See also: counteroffensive, inoffensive, offenses, offensively, offensiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,662, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.