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offensive
of·fen·sive • adj. 1. / əˈfensiv/ causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry: the allegations made are deeply offensive to us | offensive language. ∎ (of a sight or smell) disgusting; repulsive: an offensive odor. 2. / ˈäfensiv/ actively aggressive; attacking: offensive operations against the insurgents. ∎ (of a weapon) meant for use in attack. ∎ (in a game) of or relating to the team or player who is seeking to score. • n. / əˈfensiv/ an attacking military campaign: an impending military offensive against the guerrillas. ∎ an organized and forceful campaign to achieve something, typically a political or social end: the need to launch an offensive against crime. PHRASES: be on the offensive act or be ready to act aggressively. go on (or take) the offensive take the initiative by beginning to attack or act aggressively: security forces took the offensive ten days ago.DERIVATIVES: of·fen·sive·ly adv. of·fen·sive·ness n. |
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Cite this article
"offensive." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "offensive." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-offensive.html "offensive." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-offensive.html |
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offensive
offensive adj.
1. actively aggressive; attacking: offensive operations against the insurgents. 2. (of a weapon) meant for use in attack. n. an attacking military campaign: an impending military offensive against the guerrillas. go on ∨ take the offensive take the initiative by beginning to attack or act aggressively: security forces took the offensive. |
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Cite this article
"offensive." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "offensive." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-offensive.html "offensive." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-offensive.html |
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offensive
offensive •impassive, massive, passive
•expansive
•aggressive, compressive, concessive, degressive, depressive, digressive, excessive, expressive, impressive, obsessive, oppressive, possessive, progressive, recessive, regressive, repressive, retrogressive, successive, transgressive
•reflexive
•apprehensive, coextensive, comprehensive, defensive, expensive, extensive, intensive, offensive, ostensive, pensive, suspensive
•counteroffensive
•abrasive, evasive, invasive, persuasive, pervasive
•adhesive, cohesive
•missive, omissive, permissive, submissive
•decisive, derisive, divisive, incisive
•irresponsive, responsive
•corrosive, explosive, implosive, plosive
•abusive, allusive, collusive, conclusive, conducive, delusive, diffusive, effusive, elusive, exclusive, illusive, inclusive, intrusive, obtrusive, preclusive, reclusive, seclusive
•percussive
•compulsive, convulsive, impulsive, propulsive, repulsive
•purposive
•coercive, cursive, excursive, subversive
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Cite this article
"offensive." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "offensive." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-offensive.html "offensive." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-offensive.html |
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