# offensively

**Pronunciation:** /əˈfɛnsɪvli/ · uh-FEN-siv-lee

**CEFR level:** B1

**Part of speech:** adverb

## Meaning 1: Manner

In a manner that causes someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset, especially by being rude or disrespectful.

## Examples

- He spoke so offensively that the guests quickly left.
- The politician's remarks were interpreted offensively by the opposition.
- She reacted offensively to the accusation, denying it vehemently.

## Meaning 2: Military

In a manner that involves attack or aggression.

## Examples

- The troops advanced offensively, overwhelming the enemy defenses.
- The team's strategy was to play offensively from the start.
- The general ordered the soldiers to move offensively into enemy territory.

## Synonyms

- rudely — Directly impolite and lacking manners.
- insultingly — Expressing contempt or disrespect.
- disrespectfully — Showing a lack of respect or courtesy.
- abusively — In a manner that is harmful, insulting, or threatening.

## Antonyms

- politely — In a manner that shows good manners and consideration for others.
- respectfully — In a way that shows deference and admiration.
- pleasantly — In a way that is agreeable and enjoyable.

## Common patterns

- offensively to — In a way that causes offense to a particular person or group. — His comments were seen as offensively to the minority group.
- offensively loud — Extremely loud in a way that is unpleasant or disturbing. — The music from the club was offensively loud.

## Collocations

- speak offensively — He spoke so offensively that the guests quickly left.
- act offensively — Her behavior at the party was perceived as acting offensively.
- react offensively — She reacted offensively to the accusation, denying it vehemently.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/offensively

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