as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
an inoffensive little joke at the opening of his speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inoffensive
Not cloying, but clearly designed to be inoffensive: who would, after all, wish these boys, this family, this community, any harm?
—
Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
The Da Vinci Code (2006) Hanks and Ron Howard’s adaptation of Dan Brown’s blockbuster novel is by-the-numbers and uninspired, but it’s professionally done in a way that’s mostly inoffensive.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
Brightly colored cartoon characters are a fun, inoffensive way to appeal to the youth, and the Catholic Church could stand to shed its image as a dusty, archaic institution.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
The lookalike thing feels like an inoffensive trend—a local frenzy that harms nobody, a deluge of unseriousness.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
The Da Vinci Code (2006) Hanks and Ron Howard’s adaptation of Dan Brown’s blockbuster novel is by-the-numbers and uninspired, but it’s professionally done in a way that’s mostly inoffensive.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
Brightly colored cartoon characters are a fun, inoffensive way to appeal to the youth, and the Catholic Church could stand to shed its image as a dusty, archaic institution.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
The lookalike thing feels like an inoffensive trend—a local frenzy that harms nobody, a deluge of unseriousness.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoffensive
Adjective
-
While castor beans themselves are harmless, ricin, when extracted correctly in a complex process, is lethal and has been the stuff of Cold War assassinations and the plot of a popular episode on the Breaking Bad television series.—
Michael Loria,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
-
While these videos are mostly filter-free and appear to be harmless fun, Hines explained how beauty filters have altered the way the brain recognizes and prefers certain facial features.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Healthline, benign easy bruising, called actinic purpura or senile purpura is common.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Yes, Republicans have been getting an earful from their districts, but those skirmishes are going to look perfectly benign compared to what a vindictive Trump could unleash for lawmakers who show too much pluck.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The lander continued to fire its small reaction control system thrusters to fine-tune its descent, heading for a relatively flat, boulder-free stretch of lunar ground that Blue Ghost autonomously selected as a safe landing spot.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The latter, however, feels like a safe bet to play -- and play well -- after pouring in 37 points in 34 minutes against the Cavs on Friday night.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In a race against time, Melissa must figure out if an innocent man is going to die for a crime her father really committed.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Dangerously selfish, vain and proud, Wilde’s Salome is anything but innocent.—
E.R. Zarevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inoffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoffensive. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share