Offence

An offence is an act that violates a law, rule, or principle, causing harm or provoking resentment. It can range from minor transgressions to serious crimes, encompassing a wide spectrum of behaviors deemed unacceptable by society or a specific group. The concept of offence often involves an element of wrongdoing, a violation of expected conduct, and a potential for causing emotional, physical, or social consequences. It also extends to acts or statements that cause anger, hurt feelings, or disapproval. Determining whether an act constitutes an offence is often context-dependent, varying based on cultural norms, legal frameworks, and the specific circumstances involved.

Offence meaning with examples

• The reckless driver committed a serious traffic offence, endangering other road users. Their speeding, failing to yield, and failure to signal constituted several breaches of road laws, leading to potential fines and legal repercussions. This offence could also be considered a risk to the public's safety, so it was taken very seriously. The penalties would serve as a warning to anyone else.
• Her insensitive comments caused deep offence among her colleagues. The language used was disrespectful of their shared working environment, and was considered bullying by management. This demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of professional etiquette, and caused significant emotional distress for some team members, leading to strained relationships and hurt feelings. These caused her team to doubt her competence and respect her leadership.
• The company's unethical business practices were considered a major offence by consumer advocacy groups. Their actions, including misleading advertising and environmental damage, flouted ethical guidelines and brought their corporate responsibilities into question. Their offence resulted in reputational damage, regulatory fines, and public condemnation, impacting shareholder confidence and customer relationships, and was broadly viewed as a violation of trust.
• In certain religious contexts, blasphemy is considered a serious offence, subject to severe penalties. This offence involves disrespect or contempt towards something considered sacred or divine, causing anger amongst the faith community and violating its religious laws, and social and personal norms. Such offenses are frequently seen as challenges to the foundation of religious belief and practice, warranting punishments under their laws.