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   offensive

   /əˈfɛnsɪv/

   adjective

   • 1. causing someone to feel resentful, upset, or annoyed: "the allegations made are deeply offensive to us" Similar insultingrudederogatorydisrespectfulhurtfulwoundingabusiveobjectionabledispleasingannoyingexasperatingirritatingvexinggallingprovocativeprovokinghumiliatingimpertinentimpudentinsolentpersonaldiscourteousuncivilimpoliteunmannerlyunacceptableshockingscandalousoutrageouscrudevulgarcoarseindecentimproperrare:exceptionableOpposite complimentarypolite
   • ▪ (of a sight or smell) disgusting; repulsive: "an offensive odour" Similar unpleasantdisagreeablenastydistastefuldispleasingobjectionableoff-puttinguninvitingawfulterribledreadfulfrightfulobnoxiousabominabledisgustingrepulsiverepellentrepugnantrevoltingabhorrentloathsomehatefuldetestableexecrableodiousvilefoulunsavouryunpalatablesickeningnauseatingnauseousuglyunsightlynoxiousfetidrankrancidmalodorousmephiticinformal:ghastlyhorriblehorridgrossputridsick-makingyuckygodawfulbeastlyboggingon the noseskankyliterary:noisomearchaic:disgustfulloathlyOpposite pleasantdelightful
   • 2. actively aggressive; attacking: "offensive operations against the insurgents" Similar hostileattackingaggressiveinvadingincursivecombativethreateningmartialwarlikebelligerentbellicoseantagonisticon the attackOpposite defensive
   • ▪ (of a weapon) meant for use in attack: "he is also accused of possessing an offensive weapon"
   • ▪ relating to the team in possession of the ball or puck in a game: North American "Shell was an outstanding offensive tackle during his 15 years with the Raiders"

   noun

   • 1. 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"

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

   Derivatives

   • 1. offensiveness noun

   Scrabble Points: 18

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   • F

     4

   • F

     4

   • E

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   • N

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   • S

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   • I

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   • V

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   • E

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