offend

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Related to offends: flouting

offend against

1. To affront, betray, or violate the principles or laws of someone or something. Anyone who offends against the moral codes of our town will face strict, merciless punishment. Pardon me, madam. I did not mean to offend against you or your fair virtues. Police have been given the authority to arrest anyone offending against this law without a warrant or a trial.
2. To commit a sexual crime against someone. The team doctor had systematically offended against young gymnasts for nearly 20 years before he was finally arrested.
See also: offend

offend (one) with (something)

To instill or instigate offense, anger, or displeasure in one by some words or actions. I think you may have offended our clients with your off-color remarks. Please don't offend my grandparents with any rude behavior, OK?
See also: offend

offend against someone or something

to anger or affront someone or something. We do not wish to offend against anyone. He didn't realize that he offended against their cultural values.
See also: offend

offend someone with something

to anger or affront someone with something. Don't offend us with your bad jokes. I offended Ralph with my constant niggling.
See also: offend
References in periodicals archive ?
You know, your list of what you're personally offended by.
All this being offended by everything is a bit offensive
Didn't those young men sacrifice enough for us to stop worrying about who we offend and start to realise that those so easily offended are the ones strangling our rights to be free and the freedom so many of those who did not return died for.
Fly your England flags with pride; LETTERS&NOSTALGIA
If someone is offended by the British flag then I wonder why they choose to live in this country.
Argument is flagging
The only objection we can have to the book is that it offends some people.
It hurts but right to offend should stay
I CANNOT believe that some people are offended by the St George Cross.
Pen points
This government offends me more; it has failed utterly on these issues over the years, costing the taxpayer billions.
Letter: Your Say - No offence, I hope
2 : to do wrong <Is the released prisoner likely to offend again?>
offend
Mariya Shraiber, supported by her father Kirill Shraiber and a friend who heads a public relations outfit, has filed a lawsuit arguing that use of the biology textbook offends her Christian beliefs.
Russian lawsuit challenges evolution study in schools
The station's head of music said in an email it's "being very careful not to playlist songs" that might offend supporters of other teams.
Letter: The BIG issue - Beeb's foul play
The Red Cross has banned Christmas decorations in their shops - in case it offends people of other faiths.
Carole Malone: Don't let idiots kill Christmas
Howe, a self-appointed spokesman for black rights, set things off during a discussion about race issues by remarking: "Since black offends Joan..." The comment caused Rivers to erupt in fury.
Airwaves rocked as radio guests clash
Ditto "Dilbert." The latter offends as many people as it amuses.
Was that really funny?: the politics of humor
If this article offends Hindu bigots, then Hindustantimes.com will face demands to remove it.
Freedom of expression isn't something we value
Thanks to the cowardice of the authorities and the bleating of every special interest group with an axe to grind it is now widely believed that everybody has the right not to be offended. However, there is no such right - and in any case what sort of adult expects to get through the day without hearing, seeing or reading something that offends them?
Newton Emerson: ULSTER'S FOREVER ON THE OFFENSIVE
The team wanted to cut the "human and financial costs of youth crime" and "support parents and adopt a caring but determined no-nonsense problem- solving approach with every child and young person who offends or is at risk of offending."
Task force to target teenage tearaways; NEW INITIATIVE AIMS TO KEEP YOUNGSTERS ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW
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