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
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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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Recent Examples of benign
The Fed last week implied that the interplay of inflation and growth from this point out is a bit less clear, and less clearly benign, while the fiscal-policy setup began to look more unruly than so many fund managers are suggesting in their year-end investor letters.
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Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
Netanyahu underwent prostate removal surgery after he was diagnosed with an infection stemming from a benign prostate enlargement, according to reputable news reports.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025
My hair could fairly be described as blond, red, or brown, depending on the light and the time of year, and because of a benign genetic abnormality, my left eye is the muddy color of a New England pond, while my right is a bright, cool blue.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2024
The prime minister needed the surgery after he was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection from a benign prostate enlargement, Reuters reported Saturday, citing his office.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for benign 
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
Netanyahu underwent prostate removal surgery after he was diagnosed with an infection stemming from a benign prostate enlargement, according to reputable news reports.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025
My hair could fairly be described as blond, red, or brown, depending on the light and the time of year, and because of a benign genetic abnormality, my left eye is the muddy color of a New England pond, while my right is a bright, cool blue.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2024
The prime minister needed the surgery after he was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection from a benign prostate enlargement, Reuters reported Saturday, citing his office.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for benign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign
Adjective
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But sometimes letting your kid win at a harmless, just-for-fun board game or game of catch might not be quite as high stakes.Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 8 Jan. 2025
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To the untrained eye, venomous snakes may look indistinguishable from harmless ones.Brian Otieno, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As such, retinol rookies may consider starting with a gentler formulation like this one, which is also fragrance-free.Jenny Berg, Vogue, 18 Jan. 2025
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Nurse and aesthetician Natalie Aguilar, co-founder of N4 Skincare, recommends paring down your skincare regimen to the gentlest products in your regimen that your skin is known to tolerate.Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Federal and state firefighting efforts are operating from the air as long as wind conditions permit safe flights.Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
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Of 26 people reported missing in the city since last Tuesday, Choi said 17 were found safe, two are believed to have died in the fires and one is likely staying in a local shelter.Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Try providing the breed with a calmer and more soothing environment.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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Neither Austan Goolsbee’s predictably soothing words nor the Friday index rebound were enough to offset fully the quicksilver repricing of Federal Reserve’s rate-setting path for next year, nor the 3% dump in the S & P 500 on Wednesday that followed the Fed’s decision and outlook release.Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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However, the cozy and soft feel of the fabric is ideal for chillier temps.Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2025
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As the discipline matures, soft skills such as communication and cross-functional teamwork will prove just as critical as technical acumen.Srikanta Datta, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Creamy and oily on the palate with a fruity sweetness, a slight savory note, and a mild pepperiness.Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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Shocking your taste buds with an electric salt spoon Kirin Holdings has unveiled an innovative electric salt spoon that uses a mild electrical current to enhance food flavor without adding sodium.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This can be a seat cover if your dog is larger, mellow, or likes to lay out.Annemarie Dooling, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
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The substitutability with coffee was even further cemented by a splash of my preferred milk, which brought it close to a super rich spiced tea, but much mellower than, say, masala chai.Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appétit, 8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near benign
Cite this Entry
“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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