Offending
/əˈfɛndɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo cause someone to feel upset, insulted, or resentful.
/əˈfɛnd/
Causing someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset.
His jokes were often considered to be offending.
💡 Simply: Imagine you accidentally say something that makes someone feel bad, like you're stepping on their feelings. That's offending. Think about saying something out of line that causes someone to become upset, causing the person to think you're out of line.
👶 For kids: Making someone feel sad or angry by what you say or do.
More Examples
She was offended by his rude behavior.
The artist's work was intentionally created to be offending some viewers.
How It's Used
"His insensitive comments were deeply offending to the other guests."
"The actions of the company were found to be offending the environmental regulations."
Causing someone to feel upset or insulted.
/əˈfɛndɪŋ/
Causing someone to feel upset or insulted
The offending remark caused a heated argument.
💡 Simply: Something that feels like a personal attack on someone's feelings.
👶 For kids: Something that hurts someone's feelings.
More Examples
The offending language was removed from the website.
The offending actions led to severe consequences.
How It's Used
"The content of the letter was deemed offending by the recipient."
Synonyms
From Middle English *offenden*, from Old French *offendre* ("to attack, offend"), from Latin *offendere* ("to strike against, displease"), from *ob* ("against") + *fendere* ("to strike").
The word has existed in English since the 13th century, initially denoting 'to attack' or 'to transgress'. The sense of causing offense or displeasure developed over time.
Memory tip
Think of someone tripping you, it would *offend* your balance and your feelings.