1
: free from harm, liability, or loss
2
: lacking capacity or intent to injure : innocuous
a harmless joke
harmlessly
adverb
harmlessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of harmless in a Sentence
His ideas seem harmless enough.
We're just having a bit of harmless fun.
It was just a harmless joke.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Colon Cancer Though having smelly farts is usually harmless, excessive gas may be a sign of colon cancer.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025
Subtle prompts during onboarding or daily use might seem harmless—like agreeing to vague terms or tailoring content recommendations—but these interactions erode autonomy.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for harmless 
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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
Colon Cancer Though having smelly farts is usually harmless, excessive gas may be a sign of colon cancer.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025
Subtle prompts during onboarding or daily use might seem harmless—like agreeing to vague terms or tailoring content recommendations—but these interactions erode autonomy.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for harmless
Dictionary Entries Near harmless
Cite this Entry
“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmless. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
harmless
adjective
harm·less
ˈhärm-ləs 
1
: free from harm
2
: unable to harm
harmlessly
adverb
harmlessness
noun
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