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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inoffensive
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
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
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
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
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
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoffensive
Adjective
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In the classic version, participants play a kind of video game in which human figures—some Black, some white—are holding either guns or harmless objects.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
8 Apr. 2026
-
This makes harmful language appear harmless or funny.—
Sharlette A. Kellum,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Under this system, manufacturers can use limitless amounts of sugar and refined grain products — traditional ingredients — but not a range of benign or beneficial ingredients such as protein concentrates, fiber, flavor extracts, or even carbonation.—
David S. Ludwig,
STAT,
9 Apr. 2026
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Pancreatic NETs are a rare type of tumor that forms in hormone-making cells of the pancreas and may be benign or cancerous, according to the National Cancer Institute.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Jose Fernandez, an above-average runner, was safe at home, and Moreno went to third.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Spray dry toilet paper with cleansing, soothing and refreshing Pristine to create an instant wet wipe that is actually flushable and safe for your sewer and septic systems.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Critics of the system say its an invasion of privacy that creates a mass surveillance network and tracks innocent people during their daily travels.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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The 50-year-old coach said the interaction was completely innocent.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoffensive. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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