variants
or off-colored
as in suggestive
hinting at or intended to call to mind matters regarded as indecent
the movie was rated PG-13 for some swearing and off-color jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of off-color
Musk previously drew criticism for making an off-color joke about Sweeney's body in December.
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
To wear a device is to pull everyone around you into your data stream, where an off-color joke or a bad moment will be recorded—and eventually used to train future AI systems.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
Yellowing can happen with some topcoats when they’re cured, giving nails an unwanted, slightly off-color tint.
—Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Overwatering can also result in stunted growth and off-color (yellow) foliage in annuals.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-color
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
To wear a device is to pull everyone around you into your data stream, where an off-color joke or a bad moment will be recorded—and eventually used to train future AI systems.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
Yellowing can happen with some topcoats when they’re cured, giving nails an unwanted, slightly off-color tint.
—Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Overwatering can also result in stunted growth and off-color (yellow) foliage in annuals.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-color
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-color
Adjective
-
Because of the church scene, which was strongly suggestive of all the characters going to the afterlife, many viewers assumed that all the passengers on Oceanic 815 had been dead the whole time.—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
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The sisters opted for suggestive sartorial choices, with Kylie Jenner stepping onto the carpet in a revealing strapless gown by Schiaparelli.—
Swasti Singhai,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The dinner menu spotlights the local bounty and skews Mediterranean with standouts such as the laffa (a chewier pita) with baba ganoush or a spicy carrot harissa dip and lamb sliders with mango jam and shallot pickle.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Draped over crisp salmon like in this rice bowl (mole instead of spicy mayo; radishes instead of cucs); this is a form of recipe development, sewing together patches into a colorful quilt.—
Emma Laperruque,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
On court, Osaka wore a blue-and-green Nike dress streaked with vertical ruffles.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Fredericks is on the city’s June 16 primary ballot, running unopposed to become chair of the local Republican Party in Ward 2, an area encompassing deep-blue neighborhoods like Georgetown, Dupont Circle and Logan Circle.—
Paul Schwartzman,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Off-color.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-color. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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