as in benign
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
a perfectly harmless little spider
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of harmless
Mocking and making memes about it as a natural and somewhat harmless way of channelling this emotion.
—
Callum Booth, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Even a second-period Morgan Rielly goal seemed harmless enough at the time for the Bruins to shrug off.
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
These thyroid screenings commonly pick up harmless nodules, leading to an unnecessary cancer diagnosis.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 25 Feb. 2025
The three-judge panel for the appeals court rejected their claims, finding that any errors were harmless or that their arguments failed to show any violation.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmless
Callum Booth, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Even a second-period Morgan Rielly goal seemed harmless enough at the time for the Bruins to shrug off.
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
These thyroid screenings commonly pick up harmless nodules, leading to an unnecessary cancer diagnosis.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 25 Feb. 2025
The three-judge panel for the appeals court rejected their claims, finding that any errors were harmless or that their arguments failed to show any violation.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmless
Adjective
-
According to Healthline, benign easy bruising, called actinic purpura or senile purpura is common.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Yes, Republicans have been getting an earful from their districts, but those skirmishes are going to look perfectly benign compared to what a vindictive Trump could unleash for lawmakers who show too much pluck.—
Philip Elliott,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The challenge of keeping hospitals safe Hospitals are particularly challenging to secure because of the way they are set up, Clay said.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The lander continued to fire its small reaction control system thrusters to fine-tune its descent, heading for a relatively flat, boulder-free stretch of lunar ground that Blue Ghost autonomously selected as a safe landing spot.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In a race against time, Melissa must figure out if an innocent man is going to die for a crime her father really committed.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Dangerously selfish, vain and proud, Wilde’s Salome is anything but innocent.—
E.R. Zarevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
However, the seemingly innocuous aims announced by these leading politicians may soon run afoul of housing density factors playing no role in rebuilding that’s followed other major California blazes.—
Thomas Elias,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
-
After Doncic’s layup, Goodwin stole the Clippers’ inbounds pass from James Harden to Leonard – typically an innocuous play, and converted a layup to put the Lakers back in front at 73-72.—
Khobi Price,
Orange County Register,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
After opening night, Hart criticizes the show for being inoffensive and having too happy of an ending.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2025
-
What to do instead: Make the task itself more pleasant or at least inoffensive.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Located outside the hurricane belt, the island has more dive-friendly days, clear visibility, and healthy marine life.—
Curaçao Tourist Board,
AFAR Media,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Below are some of the foods and drinks to avoid before bedtime in order to have a healthier and better sleep experience.—
Khloe Quill,
Fox News,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmless. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share