verb

ofender

offend · get offended

Decir o hacer algo que hace que otra persona se sienta herida, triste o enojada.

Definition & meaning

Ofender means to offend, insult, or hurt someone’s feelings. It can also mean to violate or affront a person’s dignity, principles, or rules.

When used reflexively, ofenderse means to take offense or to feel offended.

Grammar & word origin

Ofender is a regular Spanish verb ending in -er. Its past participle is ofendido. The reflexive form is ofenderse.

The verb comes from Latin offendere, meaning “to strike against” or “to stumble upon.” In modern Spanish, it is treated as a simple verb rather than one formed from separate parts.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms include:

insultar — to insult directly; usually stronger and more explicit.
agraviar — to wrong or affront someone; more formal.
herir — literally “to wound”; used figuratively for hurting someone’s feelings.
molestar — to bother or upset; often less severe than ofender.

Possible antonyms include:

respetar — to respect; the clearest opposite when ofender means to affront someone.
halagar — to flatter or please with praise; an opposite in some contexts, though not a direct antonym.