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
Once inside the body, the silk fibroin is inoffensive.
—
Amy Paturel, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
Accelerator Photograph: Amazon Accelerator, Peach Paradise (12-Pack) $27 at Amazon
Accelerator is an inoffensive and unassuming option for folks who don’t like brand names or flashy cans.
—Pete Cottell, WIRED, 8 Aug. 2024
The rest of the picture is largely winsome and inoffensive.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Instead, we’re left with Disney’s answer to centrism, a live-action adaptation of one of its most classic films that can be described, at best, as inoffensive.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Amy Paturel, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
Accelerator Photograph: Amazon Accelerator, Peach Paradise (12-Pack) $27 at Amazon
Accelerator is an inoffensive and unassuming option for folks who don’t like brand names or flashy cans.
—Pete Cottell, WIRED, 8 Aug. 2024
The rest of the picture is largely winsome and inoffensive.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Instead, we’re left with Disney’s answer to centrism, a live-action adaptation of one of its most classic films that can be described, at best, as inoffensive.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoffensive
Adjective
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What some viewers initially perceived as a harmless prank quickly escalated into a tense exchange.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
12 June 2025
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In contrast to organic arsenic, a largely harmless compound commonly found in seafood, less than an eighth of a teaspoon of the inorganic powder can be fatal to an adult.—
Caroline Fraser
June 10,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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But a lot of people hear things that aren’t there, and some find the experience both benign and controllable.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
3 June 2025
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Perhaps most important, many observers at the time considered China to be relatively benign and largely content to keep its military within its own borders.—
Eric S. Edelman,
Foreign Affairs,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
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If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Loew was made the mark in a kind of confidence game, Schulberg recalls, with Thalberg and Mayer putting on a show of activity at the failing Louis B. Mayer Productions that nonetheless impressed the Hollywood innocent.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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To insinuate yourself into someone’s life, the biggest manipulators act like the most innocent victims.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inoffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoffensive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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