# offensive

/əˈfɛnsɪv/ (US) · /əfˈɛnsɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/offensive
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. rude or upsetting

adjective · CEFR B2

rude, insulting, or likely to make people feel angry or upset.

For teachers: causing resentment, indignation, or moral outrage; violating social or ethical standards of conduct.

- The comedian's jokes were so offensive that many people walked out of the show.
- The editor removed several offensive passages from the manuscript to ensure the book complied with the publisher's sensitivity guidelines.

Usage: Often used with 'to' when identifying the group affected, such as 'offensive to many people'.

### 2. attacking

adjective · CEFR B2

used for or related to an attack rather than defending.

For teachers: relating to or designed for an attack; characterized by active aggression rather than resistance.

- The army used offensive weapons to break through the enemy's walls.
- The general shifted the battalion into an offensive position, preparing for a coordinated strike against the fortified ridge.

Usage: Commonly used in military and sports contexts as the opposite of 'defensive'.

### 3. a planned attack

noun · CEFR B2

a large, planned attack, especially in a war or a game.

For teachers: a large-scale, planned military operation or a sustained campaign to achieve a specific goal.

- The government launched a new offensive against the rebels in the mountains.
- The spring offensive was designed to reclaim lost territory before the rainy season made the roads impassable for heavy vehicles.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'launch', 'start', or 'lead'.

## Examples

- The army launched a major offensive at dawn.
- The marketing team started a media offensive to win back customers after the recent scandal.
- Military historians argue that the spring offensive failed not due to a lack of resources, but because the logistical chains could not keep pace with the rapid territorial gains.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.