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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Offend: Definition, Usage & Examples Explained (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：upset someone (offend)

offend 🔊

/əˈfend/

To say or do something that upsets or angers another person because it is rude or inappropriate.

Offend meaning illustrated: person looking hurt and shocked after a rude comment.

upset someone 🔊

➕

/ˌʌpˈset ˈsʌm.wʌn/

To cause someone to feel upset, hurt, or angry by saying or doing something that is rude or disrespectful to their feelings or beliefs.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'offendere': 'ob-' (against) + 'fendere' (to strike). Literally 'to strike against'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'offend' as 'off-end'—to push someone off their good ending, upsetting them.

📖 Example

At the party, he didn't realize his joke about her new haircut would offend her so deeply. 🔊 At the party, he didn't realize his joke about her new haircut would upset her so deeply.

🔗 Collocations

offend someone's sensibilities – To upset or shock someone's sense of what is proper or tasteful.

unintentionally offend – To upset someone without meaning to do so.

deeply offend – To cause a very strong feeling of hurt or anger.

🔄 Synonyms

insult (v.) – To speak to or treat with disrespect or scorn.

hurt (v.) – To cause emotional pain or distress.

outrage (v.) – To provoke fierce anger, shock, or indignation.

🚫 Antonyms

please (v.) – To make someone feel happy and satisfied.

compliment (v.) – To politely praise or express admiration for someone.

flatter (v.) – To praise someone excessively, especially to gain favor.

🌱 Derivatives

offender (n.) – A person who commits an illegal act or causes offense.

offensive (adj.) – Causing someone to feel upset, annoyed, or resentful.

offense (n.) – A breach of a law or rule; or the feeling of resentment caused.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'offendere', meaning 'to strike against' or 'to dash upon'. This sense of physical collision evolved metaphorically to describe causing displeasure or violating rules, entering English in the 14th century via Old French.

Meaning 2：break a rule (offend)

offend 🔊

/əˈfend/

To break a law, rule, or a generally accepted standard of behavior.

Offend definition: car breaking the speed limit and offending traffic laws.

break a rule 🔊

➕

/ˌbreɪk ə ˈruːl/

To violate or act against a law, formal rule, or a generally accepted principle of behavior.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Driving at twice the speed limit offends against basic traffic laws and endangers everyone. 🔊 Driving at twice the speed limit breaks basic traffic laws and endangers everyone.

🔗 Collocations

offend against the law – To commit an act that is illegal.

offend against decency – To violate accepted standards of moral behavior.

seriously offend – To commit a major violation of rules or laws.

🔄 Synonyms

violate (v.) – To break or fail to comply with a rule or formal agreement.

breach (v.) – To make an opening in or break through a law, contract, or code.

transgress (v.) – To go beyond the limits set by a law, command, or moral principle.

🚫 Antonyms

obey (v.) – To comply with the command, direction, or law.

uphold (v.) – To maintain or support a law, principle, or custom.

comply (v.) – To act in accordance with a wish, command, or rule.

🌱 Derivatives

offender (n.) – A person who commits an illegal act or causes offense.

offense (n.) – A breach of a law or rule; or the feeling of resentment caused.