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Added 9 October 2026

offend

/əˈfɛnd/ verb

In Latin: offendō Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about offend at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Cause to feel resentment or indignation.
Her tactless remark offended me
Act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises.
offend all laws of humanity
Strike with disgust or revulsion.
The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends

Origin

From Middle French offendre, from Latin offendō (“strike, blunder, commit an offense”), from ob- (“against”) + *fendō (“strike”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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