1
as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
around campus he's known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
basking under a benign sun on a day in early spring
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 benign
In a twenty-year-old with no relevant history, the same finding is likely benign—watchful waiting may suffice.
—
Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Only 2 percent of cockroach species are pests, while the other 7,000 or so species are benign, Ware says.
—Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Why Is Important for Parents to Be Aware of Bop House Content
On most social media platforms, The Bop House’s content is relatively benign, usually taking the form of TikTok dances and games or an inside look at special events, like their private jet trip to the Super Bowl.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 26 June 2025
At that point, doctors believed the tumor was benign, and surgery was scheduled for two months later.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for benign
Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Only 2 percent of cockroach species are pests, while the other 7,000 or so species are benign, Ware says.
—Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Why Is Important for Parents to Be Aware of Bop House Content
On most social media platforms, The Bop House’s content is relatively benign, usually taking the form of TikTok dances and games or an inside look at special events, like their private jet trip to the Super Bowl.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 26 June 2025
At that point, doctors believed the tumor was benign, and surgery was scheduled for two months later.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for benign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign
Adjective
-
The grunting, the couple now know, was not harmless.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
-
For most people, drinking a concoction of OJ, coconut water and pink salt is pretty darn harmless and could even be beneficial.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
My life is my people, the gentle hills of the Marche region, and the objects that hold and transmit emotions.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
15 July 2025
-
The shelter posted the video hoping someone might see past Iris's fear and recognize the gentle dog underneath.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
The company carried out launch and landing tests last year, with one of the hops reaching around 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) in altitude before executing a powered descent and safe landing.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
12 July 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
But beneath their soothing prompts lie important questions: How effective are these tools?—
Pooja Shree Chettiar,
The Conversation,
10 July 2025
-
In tea form, turmeric and garlic create a soothing, nutrient-rich herbal tonic.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Traditional training often splits hard and soft skills into separate categories.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
These attempts to reshape the narrative around China’s actions go way beyond cultural soft power.—
Isabelle Mayault,
The Dial,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Stevens, 86, underwent successful heart surgery after a mild heart attack.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
11 July 2025
-
Possible side effects of the vaccine, which the CDC says are usually mild, include soreness, redness or swelling; fever; mild rash; and temporary pain and stiffness in the joints.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Djo skates between falsetto and mellow, talky vocals with moments of funky, emphatic annunciation.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
5 July 2025
-
Claire Riley, who just graduated from Amundsen, was leading a band from the School of Rock in singing mellow renditions of Avril Lavigne and Melissa Etheridge hits.—
Sophie Levenson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share