Offended - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT offended /əˈfɛndɪd/ /əˈfɛndɪd/ IPA guide

Other forms: offendedly

Someone who's offended is annoyed, hurt, or disgusted. If one presidential candidate comments snidely on the hairstyle of another, the offended candidate may retaliate.

If your feelings are hurt by your brother's comment that he "could take or leave" the chocolate chip cookies you baked for him, you're offended. And your grandmother's offended expression may be the result of the dreadful movie you're watching. Offended comes from the verb offend, specifically its secondary meaning "to wound the feelings." The Latin root is offendere, "to hit, stumble, provoke, or displease."

Definitions of offended

adjective hurt or upset “she looked offended” synonyms: pained displeased not pleased; experiencing or manifesting displeasure

Pronunciation US /əˈfɛndɪd/ UK /əˈfɛndɪd/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘offended'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

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