offensiveness
/əˈfensɪvnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈfensɪvnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /-sivnə̇s, -sēv- also -səv-/ (ame, mw)
offensiveness — noun
1. how rude, insulting, or upsetting something is — usually a remark, joke, image,
how rude, insulting, or upsetting something is — usually a remark, joke, image, or piece of behaviour that makes people feel hurt, angry, or disrespected.
Folake walked out of the comedy show because of the offensiveness of the host's jokes about disabled people.
the offensiveness of [something] — head pattern
The school removed the poster after parents complained about its offensiveness toward Muslim families.
offensiveness toward [group] — typical preposition
Esteban apologised on air, admitting he had underestimated the offensiveness of his comment about his co-host's accent.
Reviewers were divided over the offensiveness of the novel's portrayal of working-class villagers.
Brian deleted the tweet within minutes once a friend pointed out its offensiveness.
- rudeness
broader and more everyday; covers bad manners, not just hurtful content
- insultingness
rare; emphasises a deliberate intent to wound rather than a general capacity to upset
- objectionableness
more formal; focuses on what people object to on principle, not necessarily emotional hurt
- inoffensiveness
the direct opposite — the quality of upsetting nobody
文法句型
the offensiveness of [something]
用法筆記
Almost always uncountable and almost always followed by 'of' + the offending thing (a remark, joke, image, behaviour). Subject is typically a person reacting to it, or an institution responding to complaints.