Definition of "offensive" []

• Disagreeable to the senses: an offensive odor. (adjective)
• Causing anger, displeasure, resentment, or affront: an offensive gesture. (adjective)
• Making an attack: The offensive troops gained ground quickly. (adjective)
• Of, relating to, or designed for attack: offensive weapons. (adjective)
• Sports Of or relating to a team having possession of a ball or puck: the offensive line. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• ""The media have chosen to use the term offensive," he said."
• "As I say in my long list of comments, not only is the term offensive, it is terribly imprecise and journalistically worthless."
• "State senator Frederica Wilson from Miami says she finds the term offensive and she says, "An alien to me is someone from outer space.""