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offensive

offensive

noun oh-fahn-SEEV Rare

Also means

attack

Usage Note

Offensive as a noun describes a large-scale military or strategic attack. The phrase passer à l'offensive means 'to go on the offensive'. The adjective form offensif/offensive carries the same sense; the feminine form doubles as this noun.

Examples

"L'armée a lancé une grande offensive."

Natural Translation

The army launched a major offensive.

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