inoffensive

in·of·fen·sive

adj \ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv\

Definition of INOFFENSIVE

1

: causing no harm or injury

2

a : giving no provocation : peaceable b : not objectionable to the senses

— in·of·fen·sive·ly adverb

— in·of·fen·sive·ness noun

Examples of INOFFENSIVE

1. The priest was a mild-mannered inoffensive fellow.
2. <an inoffensive little joke at the opening of his speech>

First Known Use of INOFFENSIVE

1646

Related to INOFFENSIVE

Synonyms: anodyne, benign, hurtless, innocent, innocuous, harmless, safe, white

Antonyms: adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, damaging, dangerous, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, injurious, mischievous, nocuous, noxious, pernicious, prejudicial, wicked

Related Words: healthful, healthy, salubrious, wholesome; benignant; sound, trustworthy; gentle, gracious, mild; nonthreatening, painless, unobjectionable; noncorrosive, nondestructive, nonfatal, noninfectious, nonlethal, nonpoisonous, nonpolluting, nontoxic, nonvenomous

Near Antonyms: poisonous, venomous; menacing, ominous, sinister, threatening; hazardous, imperiling (or imperilling), jeopardizing, parlous, perilous, risky, unsafe, unsound; nasty, noisome, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome; offensive, painful, scathing, wounding; deadly, fatal, lethal, ruinous; destructive, insidious, malignant, noxious, pestilent, polluted, tainted

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Rhymes with INOFFENSIVE

hypertensive, hypotensive