OFFENCE

n. 1 violation, breach, crime, felony, misdemeanour, infraction, transgression, trespass, wrong, wrongdoing, sin, peccadillo, misdeed, fault, infringement, malefaction; dereliction, lapse, slip, error He was accused of offences against the rights of others Some regard the splitting of an infinitive an offence against the Queen's English. 2 give offence. incur displeasure, create annoyance or irritation or resentment or pique, evoke indignation or anger; slight, injure, hurt, harm, offend, insult, outrage, Colloq put (someone) down He denied that he meant to give offence in his criticism of the play 3 take offence. take umbrage, feel displeasure or annoyance or resentment or pique or indignation, be angered or enraged: Why should you take offence at what a fool says?