offends

VERB

displease, insult

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aggrieve anger annoy antagonize disgust disturb exasperate gall horrify hurt irritate outrage provoke rile shock sicken sting upset

STRONG

affront disgruntle disoblige distress fret jar miff nauseate nettle pain pique repel repulse sin slight slur snub transgress trespass vex wound

WEAK

be disagreeable turn one off zing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist assuage calm comfort cure delight heal help make happy order placate please quiet soothe

STRONG

agree appease attract behave compliment flatter mollify obey praise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That’s “diworsification”—ideas watered down to the lowest common denominator, the least innovative option that offends no one.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

But discomfort lives in the shadows: in the quiet space between conscience and control, between what offends and what erases.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2025

At the very least, that's not something that offends people.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2024

“People, and particularly women, tend to kvetch and converse and complain about what offends them, and then they vote according to what affects them,” she said.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2024

“My mockery offends you? My people would welcome your laughter in place of this barbarity.”

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo