harmless

adjective

ˈhärm-ləs How to pronounce harmless (audio)
Definition of harmlessnext
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

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 With that kind of reach, one of the biggest risks a child can face may begin with a conversation that seems completely harmless. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 This made the glass lizard a particularly attractive target, but comparatively harmless snakes would also do in a pinch. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2026 In our testing, querying the AI about being alone with a person from other Western countries tended to produce a harmless result. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026 But in Catalonia, even a seemingly harmless gesture can take on political significance. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harmless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmless
  1. benign
  2. safe
  3. innocent
  4. innocuous
  5. inoffensive
  6. healthy
Adjective
  • Magid said his own Facebook and Instagram feeds are relatively benign.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For example, a relative’s benign remark about the texture of a turkey dinner at a family gathering might be interpreted by someone with schizophrenia as a statement meant to embarrass them.
    — Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of benign
Adjective
  • Bi is safe, and Naheim, Bryan, Jeffrey, and Joseph all line up for judgment.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Both crude oil and natural gas futures moved lower on Wednesday on expectations for Iran and Oman to strike a deal to secure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of safe
Adjective
  • Other officers helped the innocent driver walk to a nearby gas station.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
    — ByTony Atkins, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • Although an innocuous move at first glance, Ralph Alvarado’s decision to remove mentions of Trump on his campaign materials comes as some worry the president’s slump in national polling could hurt the GOP in November’s midterms.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • What appeared to be an innocuous 2025 offseason knee issue continues to loom.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocuous
Adjective
  • And on social media, videos show a range of other unwanted recordings, from relatively inoffensive pranks to more harmful videos featuring bullying or harassment.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
  • On the surface, Little House on the Prairie is one of the most inoffensive and wholesome shows of all time.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026
Definition of inoffensive
Adjective
  • Asians generally have longer life expectancies than those outside the region—but longer lives aren’t the same as healthier ones.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Her looks often incorporated classic country motifs like cowboy hats or bell-bottom jeans, though usually made Dolly-appropriate with a healthy helping of sparkles and vibrant hues.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of healthy

Browse Nearby Words

harming
harmless
harmlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmless. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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