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offensive

offensive

15 5.3
Having a bad smell or taste that bothers you
  • adjective
  • /əˈfɛnsɪv/
translation icon : ofensivo
  • The garbage can emits an offensive smell that makes it hard to stay nearby.
  • an offensive odor

It's sweet, but it's not offensive or overpowering at all.

Examples

  • These rags he's wearing give off a stench that's offensive to the dignity of this tribunal.

  • We have complaints of offensive smells from two vans on the restaurant premises.

  • A clock is a terribly offensive gift in Chinese culture.

  • Ellen, stop making that offensive noise!

  • After years of hair-loathing, my furriness was no longer offensive to me.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • "Stepping through the door, Marissa was immediately assaulted by the offensive odor of the autopsy room.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • He found the movie's graphic violence offensive and left the theater early.

  • Many people find the offensive odor from the fish market intolerable.

Synonyms

disgusting
vsoffensive
531 1.3

Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making you feel sick

is similar but covers milder or general sensory unpleasantness
nasty
vsoffensive
282 1.0

Very dirty and covered with things that smell bad

covers that kind of sensory upset but also nonphysical unpleasantness
gross
vsoffensive
  • Informal
280 2.3

Very unpleasant and making you feel sick or disgusted

is a broader term for things that upset the senses without dirtiness focus
unpleasant
vsoffensive
215 1.0

Not nice and causing discomfort or unhappiness

adds that it often disgusts or strongly upsets the senses
obnoxious
vsoffensive
  • Offensive
126 5.1

Very unpleasant in a way that makes people angry or upset

centres on sensory unpleasantness rather than provoking social protest
stinky
vsoffensive
60 1.0

Having a very bad smell

is a general term for things that upset senses, not only scent
repulsive
vsoffensive
59 5.5

Causing strong dislike or disgust, like a very bad smell

is broader, applying to things that merely cause discomfort to senses
horrid
vsoffensive
52 4.1

A very unpleasant thing that shocks or disgusts you

focuses on sensory discomfort rather than producing horror
sickening
vsoffensive
50 5.1

That causes a strong feeling of wanting to vomit or of disgust

may cause discomfort but not necessarily physical sickness or vomiting
repugnant
vsoffensive
42 7.8

Very unpleasant and morally wrong to most people

is mainly about sensory unpleasantness, not moral opposition
objectionable
vsoffensive
31 6.7

Causing people to feel offended or want to protest

is more about creating sensory upset than social disapproval
distasteful
vsoffensive
30 4.6

Something that makes people feel dislike or disgust

focuses more narrowly on sensory unpleasantness rather than moral judgement
foul
vsoffensive
24 3.0

Having a very bad smell or taste

is broader, including unpleasant things that do not involve taste or smell
abhorrent
vsoffensive
23 7.7

Causing strong dislike or disgust because people see it as morally wrong

deals with sensory or physical unpleasantness rather than moral disgust
yucky
vsoffensive
  • Informal
22 6.8

Not pleasant to taste or smell

is the general term for things that cause sensory discomfort
nauseating
vsoffensive
14 5.1

Making people feel sick or want to throw up

means unpleasant in general, not specifically causing nausea
foul-smelling
vsoffensive
7 4.1

A very strong stink that makes you want to move away

covers sensory upset generally, not only very strong bad smells
revolting
vsoffensive
6 4.9

Very unpleasant and likely to make you feel disgusted

is less extreme, meaning generally unpleasant or upsetting to senses
repellent
vsoffensive
5 6.1

Causing strong dislike or disgust

is broader covering general sensory unpleasantness rather than intense disgust
irritating
vsoffensive
4 3.1

Causing pain or discomfort to body parts like skin and eyes

refers to discomfort to the senses rather than bodily tissue irritation
nauseous
vsoffensive
3 4.4

A smell or taste that makes you feel sick

describes general unpleasantness rather than specifically causing queasiness
noisome
vsoffensive
1 9.9

A very strong, unpleasant smell that can make you ill

means unpleasant without implying health risk or extreme harm
unpleasant-smelling
vsoffensive
1 3.8

Having a bad smell that people do not like

is broader, applying to many unpleasant sensations beyond smell
ill-smelling
vsoffensive
1 4.4

That has a strong, unpleasant odor

can describe any unpleasant sensory experience, not just odors
rank
vsoffensive
6.7

Having a very strong unpleasant smell or taste

can mean unpleasant without being as intensely odorous or overpowering
disgustful
vsoffensive
6.7

Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making people feel sick

is a milder, broader label for things that upset senses

Antonyms

314 1.0

Giving a gentle feeling of enjoyment

202 2.0

Something very pleasant that makes you happy

Idioms

Actively attacking an opponent instead of defending

Begin attacking or acting aggressively to gain an advantage

Compounds

highly offensive
  • Offensive
2 6.6

Very rude and likely to make people feel angry or hurt

1 9.5

A rude word or phrase that insults people for being in a certain group

A large 1918 American attack led by General Pershing, the biggest US operation in World War I

A large Allied attack in World War I where American troops pushed German armies back

offensive activity
  • Offensive
6.3

Bad behavior that shows little respect and hurts others

How Disgusting

revolting
6 4.9
nauseating
14 5.1
offensive
15 5.3
distasteful
30 4.6
unpleasant
215 1.0

Surface Forms

offensive positive

Morphology

offensive = offend (transparent) = offend + ive

Adjectival formation from 'offend' where the sense is 'causing disgust or unpleasantness', a direct extension of 'offend'.

Etymology

Offensive comes from the old Latin word offendere meaning 'to strike against'. Think of a bad smell that 'hits' your nose and makes you feel sick or disgusted — that is why we call a smell or taste offensive to the senses.