as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
an inoffensive little joke at the opening of his speech
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Recent Examples of inoffensive
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
Breaking no barriers, the EX60 is a design evolution with clean, simple lines and inoffensive shape.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 21 Jan. 2026
Probably This made very nice videos, constitutionally inoffensive, pleasant, maybe because those are qualities with mass appeal and endorsement potential.
—Paul McAdory, Them., 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Breaking no barriers, the EX60 is a design evolution with clean, simple lines and inoffensive shape.
—Joel Feder, The Drive, 21 Jan. 2026
Probably This made very nice videos, constitutionally inoffensive, pleasant, maybe because those are qualities with mass appeal and endorsement potential.
—Paul McAdory, Them., 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoffensive
Adjective
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The National Weather Service says cold air funnels are usually harmless but can possibly touch down as an EF-0.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
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As a common treatment for burns, aloe vera is perceived as natural and therefore harmless by many consumers, experts say.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Big and small, benign and nefarious, calculated and spontaneous.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
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But if rhinoviruses are relatively benign for most people, infection can be deadly for others.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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February 19 – March 20 What would help your body feel safe now?—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
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The piece is also outdoor-safe and easy to care for; simply wipe it down with a dry cloth after a messy project.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Heppner pleaded innocent and was released on $25-million bail.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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How many soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and innocent bystanders must die or be horribly wounded to satisfy our hubris?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoffensive. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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