offense

Pronunciation: /əˈfɛns/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others
  2. noun a feeling of anger caused by being offended
  3. noun (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

Etymology

From Middle English offence, from Old French offense, from Latin offensa (“a striking against; displeasure; injury”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

discourtesy, offence, offensive activity

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
behavior
Narrower (hyponyms)
presumption, derision, rebuff, indelicacy, insult, insolence

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