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offend

v.
US //əˈfɛnd// UK //əfˈɛnd// of·fend
  1. 1 to hurt feelings (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to make someone feel upset, angry, or insulted by what you say or do.

    to cause someone to feel resentment, indignation, or hurt through a perceived lack of respect or a violation of social norms.

    Example

    I'm sorry if I offended you with my joke; I didn't mean to be rude.

    Example

    The diplomat was careful not to offend his hosts by inadvertently ignoring local customs during the formal dinner.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice ('to be offended').
    Pitfall
    I am offended from his comments.
    I am offended by his comments.

    Use the preposition 'by' or 'at' when describing the cause of the offense.

  2. 2 to break a law (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    to commit a crime or break a rule.

    to commit an illegal act or violate a formal regulation.

    Example

    He was arrested for offending against the new traffic laws.

    Example

    The company was fined heavily after it was found to have offended against environmental protection regulations for several years.

    Usage

    Frequently used with the preposition 'against'.
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  1. 3 to be unpleasant (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to be unpleasant to your senses, like a bad smell or a very bright light.

    to cause physical or aesthetic discomfort or displeasure to the senses.

    Example

    The bright neon sign offended her eyes in the middle of the dark street.

    Example

    The harsh, industrial odor of the factory offended the residents of the nearby luxury housing development.
Origin

From Middle French offendre, from Latin offendō (“strike, blunder, commit an offense”), from ob- (“against”) + *fendō (“strike”).

Word family

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