as in benign
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
a perfectly harmless little spider
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of harmless
Belying the creature's imposing and even villainous appearance, deep sea isopods are harmless to humans.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Given the overwhelming evidence of guilt, Justice Thomas wrote, the irrelevant evidence was harmless.
—Adam Liptak, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Many people receive similar messages that seem harmless at first glance but could potentially be part of a more sinister scheme.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
Though many changes are probably harmless, some have implications for cancers and for neurological diseases.
—Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for harmless 
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Given the overwhelming evidence of guilt, Justice Thomas wrote, the irrelevant evidence was harmless.
—Adam Liptak, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Many people receive similar messages that seem harmless at first glance but could potentially be part of a more sinister scheme.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 19 Jan. 2025
Though many changes are probably harmless, some have implications for cancers and for neurological diseases.
—Amber Dance, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for harmless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmless
Adjective
-
Staying long after the funeral, the seemingly benign Jérémie begins to casually insinuate himself into his late mentor’s family.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2025
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Many of these users are benign, but some are not—including authoritarian regimes, cyber-hackers, and criminal gangs.—
Anne Neuberger,
Foreign Affairs,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Patient Dies After Hospital Asks Wrong Family About Removing Life Support Paul continued, saying precautions should have been taken to ensure his sister and other patients were safe.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
25 Jan. 2025
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But also, within love, within relationships, there should be a responsibility to protect; there should be a responsibility to make sure that person is safe.—
Max Gao,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With limited time, Melissa must determine if an innocent man will be framed for a crime her father committed.—
Kalia Richardson,
Rolling Stone,
27 Jan. 2025
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In a race against the clock, Melissa must find out if an innocent man is going to be put to death for a crime her father committed.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Of course, cognitive dissonance makes the world go ‘round, and preaching the virtues of responsible gambling while serving as a sort of virtual, non-thumb-breaking bookie is fairly innocuous compared to [gestures at everything].—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
31 Jan. 2025
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But as the drug’s prevalence increases, so, too, does the perception that cannabis is innocuous, whether used recreationally or medically.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The writing in general felt designed by committee to be as inoffensive and unoriginal as possible.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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Not cloying, but clearly designed to be inoffensive: who would, after all, wish these boys, this family, this community, any harm?—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Carson Soucy was healthy scratched for the first time this season, with Elias Pettersson, the defenceman, drawing into the lineup instead.—
Harman Dayal,
The Athletic,
3 Feb. 2025
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Those teams were incredibly healthy at the right time of year.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
2 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near harmless
Cite this Entry
“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmless. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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