1
as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
around campus he's known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
basking under a benign sun on a day in early spring
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benign
Written and directed by Iyiola in her directorial debut, the film follows Zadie, a successful London florist suffering from fibroids, benign tumors that can develop in the wall of the uterus.
—
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026
Craigslist, the seemingly benign classified listings operation, single-handedly destroyed the business model of most alternative news weeklies, which never recovered.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
There are older and more benign farming traditions, too.
—Sarah Moss, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
In another, the bot mistook a mammogram of a benign breast cyst for an image of testicles.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benign
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026
Craigslist, the seemingly benign classified listings operation, single-handedly destroyed the business model of most alternative news weeklies, which never recovered.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
There are older and more benign farming traditions, too.
—Sarah Moss, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
In another, the bot mistook a mammogram of a benign breast cyst for an image of testicles.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for benign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign
Adjective
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The bacteria are generally harmless in the gut, but when shed in feces and transferred to the urinary tract, the microbes can travel up the urethra and settle in the bladder.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Skin tags and cherry angiomas Skin tags are harmless growths that can appear anywhere on your skin but most commonly develop on the neck, eyelids, or underarms.—
Alex Vance,
Parents,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The palate leans on toffee, dark honey, orange peel, and a gentle rye spice that hangs around without dominating.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Briceno recommends cleaning your lips with a gentle, nondrying cleanser (his go-to is Purdori Natural Cleanser) to start.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This bipartisan, bicameral reform deserves quick passage so servicemembers and their families have a safe place to call home.—
JAMES HERRERA MONTEREY HERALD,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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Things like inflation, central bank interest rate changes, and currency fluctuations all affect whether people see Bitcoin as a risky asset to buy when the economy is good or, alternatively, a safe haven when things are unstable.—
K.H. Koehler,
jsonline.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In a social, psychological context, Masli is a facilitator, a quirky social worker with a golden leg for an arm, an upswept hairstyle that’s half hair and half hat, a makeshift blue gown that might’ve once been a blanket and a soft-spoken soothing presence.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
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Being loved does not always feel soothing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Snag this extra-soft sheet set for 83% off, which is available in numerous colors and sizes.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
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So too is the ancient dining room at Scotti's, with its Chianti bottle candle holders dripping with wax and soft opera music always playing through the speakers.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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These are some of the best places in the world to live in with mild winters, affordable cost of living, and great health care.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Skiers and riders can enhance their skills, starting in the mellow, high-alpine powder fields of Bergman Bowl and progressing to the steep trees and rock drops of The Outback.—
Sara Hansen,
Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2026
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The drowsy feeling always dissipated pretty quickly, though the mellow vibes sometimes lingered for hours—even after my laptop was propped back open.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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