to offend

Examples

• All

• I didn’t mean to offend you.

  Shallow Hal (2001)

• Did I do something to offend you?

  Blood Harvest (2023)

• I do not mean to offend.

  Chevalier (2023)

• The greatest sin would be to offend the King because by doing that, you offend God.

  The Other Boleyn Girl (2003)

• Look, I'm not trying to offend you, Mr. Grant, I'm...

  The Company You Keep (2012)

• But it isn't the words that offend; it's the way they are used.

  Academic text (1995)

• I apologize for offending you, Peter.

  Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

• Choose your victims and opponents carefully, then never offend or deceive the wrong person.

• He did not mean to offend anyone with his remarks about the policy changes.

• The company's decision to cut funding could potentially offend many of its loyal supporters.

Synonyms

V

to violate

vsto offend

627 4.4

Break a law, rule, agreement, or promise

is phrased more generally to include moral or nonlegal breaches

G

to go against

vsto offend

206 3.3

To act against a rule, law, or popular opinion

is specifically about breaking agreed standards or obligations, not general opposition

B

to breach

vsto offend

• Formal

46 4.5

To break a rule, agreement, or promise

is broader, covering any failure to meet agreed standards

F

to flout

vsto offend

12 7.9

To openly disobey a rule or law to show you do not respect it

means to break rules but without the open contempt or ridicule element

T

to transgress

vsto offend

12 7.8

To do something that breaks a law, rule, or your idea of right and wrong

focuses narrowly on breaking agreed laws, rules, or promises

C

to contravene

vsto offend

• Formal

2 8.2

To break a law, rule, or agreement

is more general and applies to informal standards as well

I

to infract

vsto offend

• Archaic

9.9

To break a law, rule, contract, or promise

is used more broadly for any violation of agreed obligations

Antonyms

O

to obey

411 1.0

Do what someone in charge tells you or follow a rule

C

to comply

332 3.8

Do what a rule or person asks

How Serious

to commit crime

48 2.5

to violate

627 4.4

to offend

65 4.6

to disobey

126 3.7

Surface Forms

Etymology