INNOCUOUS Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

innocuous

adjective

i-ˈnä-kyə-wəs

Definition of innocuous

as in harmless

not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt those innocuous lies we must tell every day if society is to remain civil

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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 innocuous Most of them are fairly innocuous, such as controlling dark mode. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026 The report’s conclusion speculates that keeping things private, even innocuous ones, signals secretiveness. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 These were pretty innocuous in the grand scheme of things, but were hanging as a PR headache for Ferrari heading to its home race. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Specs AccordionItemContainerButton Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton Downsides Scandinavian simplicity transforms this innocuous open shoe rack into something more. — Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for innocuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocuous

Adjective

Attackers use it to control who reaches their malicious content while showing something harmless to other visitors.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Shortly before midnight, the squad determined the bags were harmless and contained no explosives, Anderson said.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of harmless

Adjective

Peet, who had been screened since her late 30s because of dense breast tissue and prior benign lumps, was treated with a lumpectomy and radiation and is now on tamoxifen.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
In about 90% of those cases, the finding turns out to be benign.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of benign

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innocents

innocuous

innominate

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“Innocuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocuous. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of innocuous

adjective

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