offensive

 
Pronunciation: /əˈfɛnsɪv/

adjective

  • 1causing someone to feel resentful, upset, or annoyed: the allegations made are deeply offensive to us offensive language
  • (of a sight or smell) disgusting; repulsive: an offensive odour
  • 2 [attributive] actively aggressive; attacking: offensive operations against the insurgents
  • (of a weapon) meant for use in attack: he is also accused of possessing an offensive weapon
  • chiefly North American relating to the team in possession of the ball or puck in a game: Shell was an outstanding offensive tackle during his 15 years with the Raiders

noun

  • an attacking military campaign: an impending military offensive against the guerrillas
  • an organized and forceful campaign to achieve something, typically a political or social end: the need to launch an offensive against crime

Phrases

be on the offensive

act or be ready to act aggressively: the forces of fascism were very much on the offensive

go on (to) the offensive (or take the offensive)

take the initiative by beginning to attack or act aggressively: security forces took the offensive ten days ago

Derivatives

offensively

adverb

offensiveness

noun

Origin:

mid 16th century: from French offensif, -ive or medieval Latin offensivus, from Latin offens- 'struck against', from the verb offendere (see offend)