be offended by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be offended by" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing feelings of hurt or indignation in response to something said or done. Example: She was offended by his rude comments. Alternative expressions include "take offense at" and "be insulted by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

1. "Any normal human being would be offended" by some of the content on the Internet.

The New York Times

You shouldn't be offended by that.

The New York Times

Only the foolish will be offended by omission.

The Economist

I don't think he'd be offended by my saying that.

The New York Times

Someone somewhere will always be offended by something.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, some people will be offended by NotMoses.

The Guardian

[Laughs] Would Trump be offended by Multiple Maniacs?

The Guardian - Film

Ross: Who could possibly be offended by anything there?

The Guardian

It's hard to be offended by such fantastic rhetoric.

The Guardian - Opinion

Capaldi, who we hope will not be offended by the latter description.

Independent

"You never know what people will choose to be offended by".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Match the preposition 'by' with the cause of the offense (e.g., an action, a remark or a person) to maintain standard grammatical flow.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use 'at' or 'with' when the object is a specific action or statement. While 'offended at' is occasionally seen, "be offended by" is the most standard and widely accepted construction in professional writing for identifying the source of the feeling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be offended by" functions as a passive verb construction where the subject is the recipient of the emotion. According to Ludwig, it is a standard way to express a reaction to external stimuli. It combines the auxiliary verb 'to be' with the past participle 'offended' and the preposition 'by' to introduce the agent of offense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "be offended by" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used to describe a state of indignation. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance across high-authority platforms like The Guardian and The New York Times. Whether you are writing a formal critique or an informal guide, this phrase effectively communicates emotional reactions to specific triggers. To vary your writing, consider using "take offense at" for a more active tone or "be outraged by" for stronger intensity. Always ensure the preposition 'by' is followed by the cause of the feeling to remain grammatically precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take offense at

Uses the noun form and the preposition 'at' to indicate a more active reaction.

be insulted by

Specifically implies that the person's dignity or character has been attacked.

be outraged by

Indicates a much stronger level of anger or moral indignation.

be affronted by

A more formal and slightly archaic way to describe feeling insulted.

feel aggrieved by

Suggests a sense of unfair treatment or injustice alongside the offense.

take umbrage at

An idiomatic and sophisticated alternative often used in formal writing.

be scandalized by

Implies that the offense is rooted in a violation of moral or social standards.

feel slighted by

Focuses on being ignored, overlooked or treated with a lack of respect.

be piqued by

Describes a feeling of irritation or wounded pride, often regarding something minor.

be bothered by

A significantly more informal and less intense way to describe annoyance.

FAQs

How do I use "be offended by" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an emotional reaction to something. For example: "She was worried that the audience might "be offended by" her controversial jokes."

What can I say instead of "be offended by"?

You can use alternatives like "take offense at", "be insulted by" or "feel aggrieved by" depending on the severity of the situation.

Is it correct to say "be offended with"?

While "be offended by" is used for the cause or the act, "be offended with" is typically reserved for the person who caused the offense, though it is less common in modern usage than "upset with".

What is the difference between "be offended by" and "take offense at"?

"take offense at" is an active construction that suggests the person consciously decided to feel insulted, whereas "be offended by" is a passive state of being.