inoffensive
adjective
in·of·fen·sive
ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 
1
: causing no harm or injury
2
a
: giving no provocation : peaceable
b
: not objectionable to the senses
inoffensively
adverb
inoffensiveness
noun
Examples of inoffensive in a Sentence
The priest was a mild-mannered inoffensive fellow.
an inoffensive little joke at the opening of his speech
Recent Examples on the Web
This article seeks to explain why, lamenting that a standardized, inoffensive approach to lighting and production design has become the industry norm.
—
Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026
Chair-heads are sourcing used Chipotle chairs for their homes—the natural wood and iron look is pretty inoffensive, to be fair.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Feb. 2026
That’s sort of what this number, also worn by the women’s team AG Insurance-Soudal, looks like, but the best word to describe this is ‘inoffensive’.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Plus, the jojoba oil gives it a light, inoffensive smell that’s heavenly to inhale compared to the strong, cloying scents of other men’s products.
—Irene Richardson, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
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Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026
Chair-heads are sourcing used Chipotle chairs for their homes—the natural wood and iron look is pretty inoffensive, to be fair.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Feb. 2026
That’s sort of what this number, also worn by the women’s team AG Insurance-Soudal, looks like, but the best word to describe this is ‘inoffensive’.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Plus, the jojoba oil gives it a light, inoffensive smell that’s heavenly to inhale compared to the strong, cloying scents of other men’s products.
—Irene Richardson, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Cite this Entry
“Inoffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoffensive. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inoffensive
adjective
in·of·fen·sive
ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv
: not offensive or harmful
inoffensively
adverb
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