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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Recent Examples of innocuous
Many of the sites used trackers in relatively innocuous ways, like counting page views.
—
Colin Lecher, USA Today, 18 June 2025
But almost immediately, Munn’s innocuous and relatable feelings were twisted into something ugly.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 June 2025
Some drivers may face this question, especially when flashing lights appear behind them after passing a seemingly innocuous vehicle.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
Since so much of this couple’s arc bubbles up under the surface, the intention behind sometimes innocuous lines is key, making Fey’s expertise as the person writing them invaluable.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for innocuous
Colin Lecher, USA Today, 18 June 2025
But almost immediately, Munn’s innocuous and relatable feelings were twisted into something ugly.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 13 June 2025
Some drivers may face this question, especially when flashing lights appear behind them after passing a seemingly innocuous vehicle.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
Since so much of this couple’s arc bubbles up under the surface, the intention behind sometimes innocuous lines is key, making Fey’s expertise as the person writing them invaluable.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for innocuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocuous
Adjective
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The grunting, the couple now know, was not harmless.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
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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
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In the first half of 2025, inflation data has been largely benign, but the worst may be yet to come: Goldman Sachs economists predict core PCE inflation will surge to 3.4% by December, which would be the highest rate since 2023.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Finland has been a benign competitor since its 2005 semifinal stunner.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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But the alternative is much worse: a world where the loss of innocent life is treated as inescapable, where no calamity can be prevented or bad situation reformed.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
14 July 2025
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Comprehensive cell phone analysis can be just as powerful in clearing innocent drivers by proving no user interaction occurred.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Innocuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocuous. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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