Synonyms of mild
1
: gentle in nature or behavior
has a mild disposition
a mild-mannered man who rarely lost his temper
2
a(1)
: moderate in action or effect
a mild sedative
(2)
: not sharp, spicy, or bitter
mild cheese
mild ale
b
: not being or involving what is extreme
an analysis under mild conditions
a mild case of the flu
3
: not severe : temperate
a mild climate
mild symptoms of disease

Examples of mild in a Sentence

He has a mild manner. He was a mild-mannered man who rarely became angry. They had a mild disagreement. She has a mild case of the flu. He suffered a mild concussion attack. a mild reprimand, not a stern one We've been having a very mild winter.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
With a mild or smaller superficial clot, doctors focus on reducing inflammation and easing pain. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 Some people have mild skin changes with no noticeable discomfort. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 20 Oct. 2026 Tuesday is another sunny and mild October day in the Twin Cities, with highs in the 70s south of Interstate 94 and upper 60s up north. — Joseph Dames, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 The bursting of the dot-com bubble helped usher in a relatively mild recession. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mild

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English milde; akin to Greek malthakos soft, Latin mollis — more at melt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mild was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mild.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mild. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
: gentle in nature or behavior
a mild person
2
a
: not strong in action or effect
a mild drug
b
: not sharp, spicy, or bitter
a mild cheese
3
: not severe : temperate sense 5
mild weather

Medical Definition

1
: moderate in action or effect
a mild drug
2
: not severe
a mild case of the flu
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