Offensive
Offensive , adjective
[Compare French offensif. See Offend.]
1.
Giving offense; causing displeasure or resentment; displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words.
2.
Giving pain or unpleasant sensations; disagreeable; revolting; noxious; as, an offensive smell; offensive sounds.
Offensive to the stomach.
3.
Making the first attack; assailant; aggressive; hence, used in attacking; -- opposed to defensive; as, an offensive war; offensive weapons.
Collocations (1)
League offensive and defensive , a leaque that requires all the parties to it to make war together against any foe, and to defend one another if attacked.
Offensive , noun
The state or posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; -- opposed to defensive.
Collocations (1)
To take the offensive or To act on the offensive or To go on the offensive , to be the attacking party; to initiate hostilities.