noun

offense

Resentment caused by feeling insulted.

She takes offense when her coworkers joke about her accent.

Etymology

Offense is connected with striking against or causing hurt. The emotional sense names the resentment felt when speech or conduct is taken as an insult.

More examples

No offense, but I prefer the original design.
His blunt reply causes offense, though he means no harm.
To avoid giving offense, I keep my criticism polite.

Forms

offense

offend verb — Cause someone to feel hurt or insulted.

offensive adjective — Causing hurt feelings through disrespect or insult.

Similar words

resentment: Suggests lingering bitterness about mistreatment, not necessarily an insult.
hurt: Emphasizes emotional pain rather than resentment at an insult.