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.
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 Once inside the body, the silk fibroin is inoffensive. Amy Paturel, Discover Magazine, 22 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inoffensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inoffensive. Accessed 2 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!