offensive

Definition

Causing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, hatred, sadness, or indignation.

Etymology

From Middle French offensif, from offendre + -if by analogy with défensif. Offendre is from Latin offendere (“to offend”); see offend.

Example Sentences

• "Some people find pornography offensive."
• "An offensive smell."
• "A survey at Yale University had 63% of students wanting professors to issue “trigger warnings” before saying anything that some might find offensive or could cause painful emotions."

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