adj · noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/əˈfɛndɪŋ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɛndɪŋ
CMU ARPABET:AH0 F EH1 N D IH0 NG
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Responsible; to be blamed.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
Something in the fridge smelled terrible. The offending article was soon identified and removed.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The act of committing an offence.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
present participle and gerund of offend
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adjective
Meaning 4
offending against or breaking a law or rule
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
contracts offending against the statute were canceled
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: unoffending
History
Etymology
No etymology was provided for this word.
Across languages
Translations
3 source translations are retained for this English entry.