Inoffensive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv/ in·of·fen·sive

Meaning & Definition of Inoffensive

Inoffensive (adjective)

  1. causing no harm or injury
  2. giving no provocation, peaceable
  3. not objectionable to the senses

Inoffensive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt

    "an inoffensive little joke at the opening of his speech"

    similar: anodyne, benign, harmless, hurtless, innocent, innocuous, safe, white
    related: healthful, healthy, salubrious, wholesome, benignant, sound, trustworthy, gentle, gracious, mild, nonthreatening, painless, unobjectionable, noncorrosive, nondestructive, nonfatal, noninfectious, nonlethal, nonpoisonous, nonpolluting, nontoxic, nonvenomous
    opposite: adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, damaging, dangerous, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, injurious, mischievous, nocuous, noxious, pernicious, prejudicial, wicked
    near: poisonous, venomous, menacing, ominous, sinister, threatening, hazardous, imperiling, jeopardizing, parlous, perilous, risky, unsafe, unsound, nasty, noisome, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome, offensive, painful, scathing, wounding, deadly, fatal, lethal, ruinous, destructive, insidious, malignant, noxious, pestilent, polluted, tainted

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Inoffensive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Inoffensive:

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Inoffensive

Words with the opposite meaning of Inoffensive:

adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, damaging, dangerous, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, injurious, mischievous, nocuous, noxious, pernicious, prejudicial, wicked

Related Words for Inoffensive

healthful, healthy, salubrious, wholesome, benignant, sound, trustworthy, gentle, gracious, mild, nonthreatening, painless, unobjectionable, noncorrosive, nondestructive, nonfatal, noninfectious, nonlethal, nonpoisonous, nonpolluting, nontoxic, nonvenomous

Near Antonyms of Inoffensive

poisonous, venomous, menacing, ominous, sinister, threatening, hazardous, imperiling, jeopardizing, parlous, perilous, risky, unsafe, unsound, nasty, noisome, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome, offensive, painful, scathing, wounding, deadly, fatal, lethal, ruinous, destructive, insidious, malignant

Word Forms of Inoffensive

Derived words: inoffensively (adverb), inoffensiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Inoffensive

First known use: 1646

Frequently Asked Questions about Inoffensive

What does "Inoffensive" mean?

"Inoffensive" means causing no harm or injury. As an adjective, it is defined as: causing no harm or injury.

What is another word for "Inoffensive"?

Other words for "Inoffensive" include anodyne, benign, harmless, hurtless, innocent, innocuous, safe and white. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Inoffensive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Inoffensive"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Inoffensive". Common alternatives include anodyne, benign, harmless, hurtless, innocent, innocuous, safe and white.

What is the opposite of "Inoffensive"?

Antonyms of "Inoffensive" include adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, damaging, dangerous, deleterious and detrimental. Near antonyms include poisonous, venomous, menacing and ominous.

How do you use "Inoffensive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Inoffensive" in a sentence: "an inoffensive little joke at the opening of his speech".

Is "Inoffensive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Inoffensive" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Inoffensive"?

"Inoffensive" is pronounced /ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv/ and divided into syllables as in·of·fen·sive.

What is the origin of the word "Inoffensive"?

First known use: 1646.