The meaning of OFFENSIVE is making attack : aggressive. How to use offensive in a sentence.

The word ' lady ' has connotations of refinement and excessive femininity that some women find offensive. There were those who found the joke offensive, but Johnson insisted it was just a bit …

OFFENSIVE definition: causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying. See examples of offensive used in a sentence.

1. An attitude or position of attack: go on the offensive in chess. 2. A physical or military attack or assault: led a massive military offensive.

offensive, adj. & n. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary

Dec 14, 2025 · Relating to an offense or attack, as opposed to defensive. antonym quotations Antonym: defensive The army's offensive capabilities. An offensive weapon.

of or relating to offense or attack, as in war or games, etc.:[usually: before a noun] a good offensive strategy. n. the position or strategy of attacking:[uncountable; usually: the + ~] to …

Offensive refers to something that is disagreeable, unpleasant, insulting, or causing discomfort or resentment due to its inappropriate, disrespectful, or hurtful nature.

If you conduct an offensive, you take strong action to show how angry you are about something or how much you disapprove of something.

Offensive describes rude or hurtful behavior, or a military or sports incursion into an opponent's territory. In any context, "on the offensive" means on the attack.