offends my sensibilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "offends my sensibilities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that something is distasteful or upsetting to your personal feelings or moral standards. Example: "The graphic content in that movie offends my sensibilities, and I cannot watch it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This blanket action offends my sensibilities.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I don't think it would offend my sensibilities.

The Guardian

One way is to say that, if you do not offend my sensibilities, I will refrain from offending yours.

The New Yorker

Even more than my taste buds, it offended my sensibilities.

Huffington Post

Hooking-up culture offends my feminist sensibilities, so I am proud to call myself "Unhooked".

Huffington Post

"And so every show we do offends my artistic sensibilities in some ways," he explained.

Huffington Post

Thinking he would rid the plate of the meat so not to offend my vegetarian sensibilities, the Englishman spread a generous dollop of the soft grayish substance on a slice of bread and took a large bite.

Huffington Post

I think the colors offend my aesthetic sensibility.

The New York Times

"I feel a sense of responsibility not to offend my own moral sensibilities," he said.

The New York Times

Of Hastert's indictment Powell said, "If it's true it offends all my sensibilities".

Huffington Post

The whole idea offended my fiscal and ecological sensibilities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "offends my sensibilities" to express a personal reaction to something that violates your sense of what is acceptable or appropriate. Consider the audience and context to ensure the phrase's formality aligns with your communication goals.

Common error

While "offends my sensibilities" is a valid expression, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I don't like it" or "it bothers me" in informal contexts to avoid sounding out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "offends my sensibilities" functions as a subjective expression of disapproval or moral objection. It indicates a personal feeling of being upset or disturbed by something that violates one's sense of what is acceptable or appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "offends my sensibilities" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that something violates one's personal sense of what is acceptable or appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for news, media, and academic contexts. Alternative phrases like "violates my principles" or "is repugnant to me" can provide nuanced variations in meaning and intensity. When using this phrase, consider your audience and the level of formality required to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am deeply affronted

Expresses a strong sense of personal insult or outrage.

is repugnant to me

Expresses a strong feeling of disgust or aversion.

it runs counter to my beliefs

Highlights a direct opposition to deeply held beliefs.

clashes with my values

Highlights a conflict with personal values, implying a considered moral objection.

it's against my moral code

Emphasizes that something violates one's personal code of ethics.

violates my principles

Indicates a conflict with one's core beliefs, suggesting a more profound disagreement than mere offense.

I find it distasteful

A more direct and less emphatic way of expressing dislike.

displeases me greatly

A more formal and less direct way of expressing displeasure.

it grates on my nerves

Suggests something is irritating or annoying, rather than deeply offensive.

it's simply not to my liking

A milder expression of personal preference.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "offends my sensibilities"?

It means that something violates your sense of what is acceptable, appropriate, or morally right, causing you to feel upset or disturbed.

What are some alternative ways to say "offends my sensibilities"?

You can use alternatives such as "violates my principles", "is repugnant to me", or "clashes with my values" depending on the specific context and intensity you want to convey.

Is "offends my sensibilities" a formal or informal expression?

It leans towards a more formal expression. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "I don't like it" or "it bothers me" might be more appropriate.

How can I use "offends my sensibilities" in a sentence?

You can say, "The graphic content in that movie offends my sensibilities, and I cannot watch it" or "The company's unethical practices offend my sensibilities".