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 party scenes with leggy dancers, meant to be decadent, are inoffensive.
—
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
But its efforts to remain anonymous and inoffensive have been undone by allegations of labor abuses, environmental criticisms and, despite moving its headquarters to Singapore, persistent concerns about its Chinese ownership.
—Timothy McLaughlin, Wired News, 5 May 2025
The actual criterion, however, has tended to be a sort of weak-willed, inoffensive obsequiousness, such that all the countries on the Security Council will approve of you—and can use you as a scapegoat whenever necessary.
—Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
At night, be warned that a red light district — largely inoffensive (depending in your POV) but real — sits behind the hotel and envelops a Thai boxing ring.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
But its efforts to remain anonymous and inoffensive have been undone by allegations of labor abuses, environmental criticisms and, despite moving its headquarters to Singapore, persistent concerns about its Chinese ownership.
—Timothy McLaughlin, Wired News, 5 May 2025
The actual criterion, however, has tended to be a sort of weak-willed, inoffensive obsequiousness, such that all the countries on the Security Council will approve of you—and can use you as a scapegoat whenever necessary.
—Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
At night, be warned that a red light district — largely inoffensive (depending in your POV) but real — sits behind the hotel and envelops a Thai boxing ring.
—Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inoffensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inoffensive
Adjective
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That hold harmless provision, however, didn’t seem to make a dent in public school advocates’ opposition, Creighton said.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Some abnormalities are usually harmless, but others, such as bloody or pencil-thin stools, can be serious.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Yet Ozzy’s voice sounded so benign and compassionate, downright vulnerable.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
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Many signs of multiple myeloma are common to benign and harmless conditions, so laboratory and imaging testing are necessary to determine whether your symptoms are related to this disease.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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The performance itself begins at 7:20 p.m., followed by an after-party at 9 p.m. Event organizers encourage rideshare for a safe and carefree experience, though free parking is available across the street from the venue at 6101 Highland Campus Dr. Building 3000.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
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As ever, the good news is that staying safe is all down to 100% adherence to golden rules.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Additionally, wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian head scarf, at an event celebrating Arab Heritage Month was inflammatory of Johnson in the political environment following the massacre of innocent Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 July 2025
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Attorneys have also raised concerns about the increase in arrests of people with pending charges, who are presumed innocent, and disrupting their ability to mount a defense.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inoffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inoffensive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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