Offended Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈɒfɛndɪd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Feeling hurt or upset by something, often as a result of intentional or unintentional words, actions, or attitudes that cause emotional distress or offense.

Examples

• I was offended by the comment made in the meeting.
• Her words were offensive and inappropriate.

Synonyms

• Hurt
• Disturbed
• Irritated

Antonyms

• Agreeable
• Pleased
• Unperturbed

Etymology

The word “offended” comes from the Old French “offendre”, meaning “to commit malice” or “to do wrong”, which is derived from the Latin “offendere”, meaning “to hit or strike”.

Usage Notes

Offended is often used to describe a range of emotional responses, from mild annoyance to intense anger or hurt. It is essential to consider the context and tone in which the word is used to ensure accurate communication.

Cultural References

The concept of being offended has been explored in various forms of media, such as films, books, and television shows. For example, the phrase “I’m offended” can be found in popular culture, often used humorously or sarcastically.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some common idiomatic expressions that include the word offended include “don’t take offense”, “offended easily”, and “doesn’t offend me”.

Related Words or Phrases

Words and phrases closely related in meaning or usage to offended include hurt, insulted, wounded, and affronted.

Collocations

Common word combinations with the term offended include “being offended by”, “taking offense”, and “feeling offended by”.

Frequency of Use

The frequency of use for the word offended has remained relatively consistent over the past few decades, with occasional spikes in usage in response to cultural or social events.