offensive

1. 1

   Causing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, hatred, sadness, or indignation.

   • Some people find pornography offensive.
   • An offensive smell.
2. 2

   Causing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, hatred, sadness, or indignation.; Socially disrespectful; insensitive.broadly

3. 3

   Relating to an offense or attack, as opposed to defensive.

   • The army's offensive capabilities. An offensive weapon.
4. 4

   Having to do with play directed at scoring.

   • The offensive coordinator is responsible for ordering all rushing plays.

syn. aggressive · invidious

1. 1

   An attack.countable

   • The Marines today launched a major offensive.
2. 2

   The posture of attacking or being able to attack.uncountable

   • He took the offensive in the press, accusing his opponent of corruption.