The least offensive way of refusing a request is not to let it be made.
The waiting man laughed again in an offensive way.
Nynaeve rolled her eyes in what was really a most offensive way.
Charlie already informed me of that, though in a much less offensive way than you just did.
If any of my men give you a hard time, or are looking in an offensive way, tell me and I'll do something about it.
But is it good advertising to reach several million people in an offensive way?
"Does she still leer at you in that offensive way?"
"There are those who would push all the buttons of government in a very offensive way, and that is not my style."
But in a way, and not necessarily an offensive way, it makes sense.
Question: Did the man ask for water in an offensive way?