inoffensive

adjective

in·​of·​fen·​sive ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 

1

: causing no harm or injury

2

a

: giving no provocation : peaceable

b

: not objectionable to the senses

inoffensively adverb

inoffensiveness noun

Synonyms

• anodyne
• benign
• harmless
• hurtless
• innocent
• innocuous
• safe
• white

Examples of inoffensive in a Sentence

The priest was a mild-mannered inoffensive fellow.

an inoffensive little joke at the opening of his speech

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inoffensive

adjective

in·​of·​fen·​sive ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 

: not offensive or harmful

inoffensively adverb