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
The inoffensive music and lyrics are by country music star Brandy Clark and prolific country music songwriter Shane McAnally, and sound more like typical modern Broadway showtunes than country songs.
—
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
The decor was neutral and inoffensive.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
The decor was neutral and inoffensive.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoffensive
Adjective
-
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said at a news conference that Hill’s conduct was inappropriate but ultimately harmless.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
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This harmless, doll-like look juxtaposed with the anger running through their punk discographies and unruly performances was meant to subvert the expectations of women as docile objects in the patriarchy.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
She was diagnosed with a benign tumor on her pituitary gland and had to move back to England.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
10 May 2026
-
While Reynoso was getting in trouble, being insubordinate and dealing with suspensions, Rodriguez has been entirely more benign.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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Opting for a midi-length dress is a safe choice that will feel polished without missing the mark.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
However, there is no definitive national ranking from 2013 showing Los Angeles and New York City tied as the safest big cities in the country.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
These armed hostilities have maimed, mutilated and killed millions of human beings — many of them innocent civilians.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Becerra may have been an innocent victim, but $120,000 a year is a lot of money to pay someone to babysit a largely unused stack of cash.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inoffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoffensive. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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