offensive

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the action of attacking an enemy
  2. adjective violating or tending to violate or offend against
  3. adjective for the purpose of attack rather than defense

Etymology

From Middle French offensif, from offendre + -if by analogy with défensif. Offendre is from Latin offendere (“to offend”); see offend.

In classic literature

Synonyms

offense, offence

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