— offensively , adv. — offensiveness , n.
/euh fen"siv/ or, for 4, 5, /aw"fen-, of"en-/ , adj.
1. causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying: offensive television commercials.
2. unpleasant or disagreeable to the sense: an offensive odor.
3. repugnant to the moral sense, good taste, or the like; insulting: an offensive remark; an offensive joke.
4. pertaining to offense or attack: the offensive movements of their troops.
5. characterized by attack; aggressive: offensive warfare.
n.
6. the position or attitude of aggression or attack: to take the offensive.
7. an aggressive movement or attack: a carefully planned naval offensive.
[ 1540-50; offensivus, equiv. to L offens ( us ) ptp. of offendere (see OFFEND) + -ivus -IVE ]
Syn. 1. displeasing, vexatious, vexing, unpleasant. See hateful. 2, 3. distasteful, disgusting, revolting, repellent. 3. repulsive, shocking. 4. invading, attacking.
Ant. 1, 2. pleasing. 4. defensive.