greatly offended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'greatly offended' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used in reference to someone feeling deeply hurt or angered by something that has been said or done. Example: The teacher was greatly offended by the student's disrespectful comments, and promptly sent him to the principal's office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A series of unpatriotic, much-televised statements by Mr Obama's pastor had greatly offended a group that came to America willingly.

The Economist

I am greatly offended at the insinuation by Mr. Douthat that the commission would approve a design that understates Eisenhower's value to the American people.

The New York Times

Charles II was greatly offended by the suggestion that he would want to "draw a benefit to himself from so public a calamity of his people" – so he had Knight thrown in jail.

The Guardian

Some Breaux Bridge citizens, greatly offended by the behavior of some visitors, have said that they would just as soon not have the festival at all — except, of course, for the ceremony and tableau necessary for the coronation of the Crawfish Queen, an event that is carried on even in off-years, when no tourists are around.

The New Yorker

But there are a lot of people who for some reason are greatly offended when you don't reciprocate a follow/subscribe on Twitter or FriendFeed.

TechCrunch

Many Brazilians went to Argentina's matches during the tournament wearing the shirts of their rivals and chanting support for them, which greatly offended the visitors.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This was absolutely the last thing I intended, but nevertheless I had managed to greatly offend a lot of trans people and their allies.

Independent

First, Mr. Frist is against abortion, and Mr. Bush is mindful that experiments involving human embryos greatly offend many abortion opponents.

The New York Times

Two, this appears to greatly offend a certain breed of Northern writer, several of whom have descended on the state in an attempt to rebut stories of a "Texas miracle".

The New York Times

Some parents may view sex as having purposes beyond procreation and may even find those purposes amusing in a way that would greatly offend Charley.

Huffington Post

This could greatly offend your friend and may even harm the computer.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greatly offended" to convey a strong emotional reaction, particularly when someone feels deeply hurt or disrespected. Ensure the context clearly explains what caused the offense.

Common error

Avoid using "greatly offended" in situations where the offense is minor or subjective. Using it for trivial matters can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly offended" functions as a descriptor, indicating the intensity of the emotional response to something. As shown in Ludwig, it modifies a verb (often a form of 'to be') to express the degree to which someone feels insulted or aggrieved.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatly offended" is a common and correct way to express a strong feeling of being insulted or disrespected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe a deep emotional reaction to something hurtful or offensive. While versatile, it is important to consider the context and avoid overuse in trivial situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "deeply insulted" or "highly indignant" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Usage analysis reveals its prevalence in news and media, reflecting its role in reporting and discussing sensitive topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply insulted

Emphasizes the feeling of being disrespected or humiliated.

highly indignant

Highlights a strong sense of anger and injustice.

seriously aggrieved

Focuses on the feeling of being wronged or treated unfairly.

extremely displeased

Indicates a very strong level of dissatisfaction.

bitterly resentful

Suggests a prolonged feeling of anger and ill will.

utterly outraged

Implies a sense of moral shock and anger.

sharply piqued

Highlights a sudden feeling of irritation or resentment.

profoundly affronted

Emphasizes the depth of the offense taken.

sorely vexed

Focuses on the feeling of being troubled and annoyed.

resentful

More concise way to express feeling of indignation or displeasure.

FAQs

How can I use "greatly offended" in a sentence?

You can use "greatly offended" to describe someone's reaction to something deeply hurtful or disrespectful. For example, "She was greatly offended by his insensitive remarks".

What are some alternatives to "greatly offended"?

Alternatives include "deeply insulted", "highly indignant", or "seriously aggrieved", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "greatly offended" or "slightly offended"?

The choice depends on the intensity of the emotional reaction. "Greatly offended" indicates a strong negative feeling, while "slightly offended" suggests a milder reaction.

What's the difference between "greatly offended" and "deeply offended"?

While both phrases convey a strong sense of being upset, "deeply offended" emphasizes the emotional depth of the offense, whereas "greatly offended" focuses on the magnitude or extent of the offense.