offense

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /əˈfɛns/
• (team sports senses, especially in the U.S.) IPA: /ˈɔf.ɛns/, /ˈɑf.ɛns/)

Noun

offense (American spelling)

1. The act of offending:
   1. a crime or sin
      • 1855, Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom Chapter 3

        The slave fully appreciates the saying, "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." When old master's gestures were violent, ending with a threatening shake of the head, and a sharp snap of his middle finger and thumb, I deemed it wise to keep at a respectable distance from him; for, at such times, trifling faults stood, in his eyes, as momentous offenses; and, having both the power and the disposition, the victim had only to be near him to catch the punishment, deserved or undeserved.

   2. an affront, insult or injury.

      • I have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offence to their memories.

2. The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure.
3. (team sports) A strategy and tactics employed when in position to score; contrasted with defense.
4. (team sports) The portion of a team dedicated to scoring when in position to do so; contrasted with defense.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:offense

Antonyms

• defense (US), defence (Commonwealth)

Related terms

• offensive
• offend
• offender

Translations

• Portuguese: ofensa, delito, transgressão
• Russian: преступление

Translations

• Portuguese: ofensa, insulto
• Russian: просту́пок
• Spanish: ofensa, insulto

Translations

• German: beleidigt sein, gekränkt sein
• Russian: обида

Translations

• French: attaque, offensive
• Portuguese: ataque
• Russian: нападение

Translations

• French: attaque, attaquants
• Portuguese: ataque

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