offend

Universal Words verb 1 [oftenpassive] to make sb feel upset because of sth you say or do that is rude or embarrassing: [VN] They'll be offended if you don't go to their wedding. * Neil did not mean to offend anybody with his joke. * She managed to offend her boyfriend's parents as soon as she opened her mouth. * [V] A TV interviewer must be careful not to offend. 2 [VN] to seem unpleasant to sb: The smell from the farm offended some people. * an ugly building that offends the eye 3 [V] (formal) to commit a crime or crimes: [V] He started offending at the age of 16. * What is the best way to stop someone who has offended from repeating the offence? 4 [V] ~ (against sb/sth) (formal) to be against what people believe is morally right: comments that offend against people's religious beliefs offended adjective: Alice looked rather offended.