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
  • The market's fear gauge, the volatility index known as the VIX, is at very benign levels under 16, while the S & P 500 is within spitting distance of its highs.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But the Jewish contribution to childhood wasn’t always benign.
    — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of benign
Adjective
  • But rising bond yields make safer government debt more attractive relative to stocks, while also reducing the present value investors assign to companies’ future earnings.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The pill was found to not only be safe but also reduce tumor burden in more than 30% of patients, according to the study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of safe
Adjective
  • When model Tricia Helfer came in for a touch-up before an introductory visit to her boyfriend’s parents, Johns toned down her bright blonde chunks to play up her naturally innocent looks.
    — Vanessa Friedman, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In a cruel coup de grace, Acosta reached into Shuler’s bag to steal an item while the innocent customer was still alive, prosecutors said.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 31 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
  • Understanding the benefits muscle cells have as endocrine workhorses could help keep us all healthier in the long run.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Higher benchmark yields can lift financing costs even for healthy companies, potentially making some factories, data centers, acquisitions and other investments less economically viable.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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