inoffensive

adjective

in·​of·​fen·​sive ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv How to pronounce inoffensive (audio)
1
: causing no harm or injury
2
a
: giving no provocation : peaceable
b
: not objectionable to the senses
inoffensively adverb
inoffensiveness noun

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
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.
That approach amps up the comedy, especially the prevailing idea that the largely inoffensive Chad could be any kind of real threat to the staid little onstage community. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025 This is how actor David Tennant, back for his second consecutive year hosting, chose to open the 2025 BAFTAs before jumping into an inoffensive monologue heavy on tepid puns. Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025 There would also be logistical questions to address, including who's responsible for supervising students if they are made to leave their classroom during certain lessons and how to select alternative material that is inoffensive to their parents. Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 3 June 2025 Believing in any conspiracy theory, even one that seems as inoffensive or silly as the flat Earth theory, can set a person up to fall into larger conspiracy theories, Dashtgard says, like the idea that feminism is a global conspiracy meant to drag men down. Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for inoffensive

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inoffensive was in 1646

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Cite this Entry

“Inoffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoffensive. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

inoffensive

adjective
in·​of·​fen·​sive ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv How to pronounce inoffensive (audio)
: not offensive or harmful
inoffensively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on inoffensive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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