1
a
: of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life
especially
: not becoming cancerous
a benign lung tumor
b
: having no significant effect : harmless
environmentally benign
2
: of a gentle disposition : gracious
a benign teacher
Synonyms
Examples of benign in a Sentence
… substituting such benign power sources as the hybrid, the fuel cell, and the electric motor in place of … the internal-combustion engine.
—
Brock Yates, Car and Driver, May 2000
Rather than a benign fairytale creature that delivers babies, the marabou stork is an ugly, viciously predatory African bird that preys on flamingos …
—James Polk, New York Times Book Review, 11 Feb. 1996
… her pulled-back black hair had gone gray in strange distinct bands, but she seemed much as he remembered her, solid and energetic, with a certain benign defiance.
—John Updike, New Yorker, 23 May 1988
When she chose to smile on me, I always wanted to thank her. The action was so graceful and inclusively benign.
—Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
We were happy to hear that the tumor was benign.
around campus he's known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign
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Brock Yates, Car and Driver, May 2000
Rather than a benign fairytale creature that delivers babies, the marabou stork is an ugly, viciously predatory African bird that preys on flamingos …
—James Polk, New York Times Book Review, 11 Feb. 1996
… her pulled-back black hair had gone gray in strange distinct bands, but she seemed much as he remembered her, solid and energetic, with a certain benign defiance.
—John Updike, New Yorker, 23 May 1988
When she chose to smile on me, I always wanted to thank her. The action was so graceful and inclusively benign.
—Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
We were happy to hear that the tumor was benign.
around campus he's known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Both were relatively benign acts but were cited as examples of how the technology creates openings to spread misinformation.
—Emilia David, The Verge, 8 Nov. 2023
This internal migratory surge, however, may not be as benign as some earlier ones.
—Steve H. Hanke, National Review, 22 Nov. 2023
As most observers agree, Los Angeles punk grew less fun with the arrival of a new more combative crowd, and the benign pogo gave way to the brutal slamdance.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023
Other relatively benign, and potentially more cost-effective methods to stabilize coastlines are getting attention these days, such as creating berms and sand dunes, seeding native beach plants and restoring marshes and lagoons.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2023
When Gordon writes, particularly in response to parents worrying about potential diagnoses, her goal is to take them through every possible scenario — the terrible, the difficult but solvable, and the benign.
—Curbed, 18 Oct. 2023
That the book is a naked attempt by a twilight superstar to shore up his legacy and project a new and benign vision of himself is abundantly obvious.
—Charles Arrowsmith, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Your mother's forgetfulness might be the result of a change of medication, a need for medication, or another treatable or benign cause.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2023
Now, critics would say this product and its timing during peak Traylor feels like a shameless cash grab, but the Kelce-Swift PR machine is a powerful force, and I have been expertly manipulated into finding the two’s shenanigans generally benign.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 27 Oct. 2023
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Emilia David, The Verge, 8 Nov. 2023
This internal migratory surge, however, may not be as benign as some earlier ones.
—Steve H. Hanke, National Review, 22 Nov. 2023
As most observers agree, Los Angeles punk grew less fun with the arrival of a new more combative crowd, and the benign pogo gave way to the brutal slamdance.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023
Other relatively benign, and potentially more cost-effective methods to stabilize coastlines are getting attention these days, such as creating berms and sand dunes, seeding native beach plants and restoring marshes and lagoons.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2023
When Gordon writes, particularly in response to parents worrying about potential diagnoses, her goal is to take them through every possible scenario — the terrible, the difficult but solvable, and the benign.
—Curbed, 18 Oct. 2023
That the book is a naked attempt by a twilight superstar to shore up his legacy and project a new and benign vision of himself is abundantly obvious.
—Charles Arrowsmith, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2023
Your mother's forgetfulness might be the result of a change of medication, a need for medication, or another treatable or benign cause.
—Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2023
Now, critics would say this product and its timing during peak Traylor feels like a shameless cash grab, but the Kelce-Swift PR machine is a powerful force, and I have been expertly manipulated into finding the two’s shenanigans generally benign.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 27 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'benign.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing benign
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Cite this Entry
“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benign. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
Medical Definition
benign
adjective
be·nign
bi-ˈnīn 
1
: of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life
benign malaria
a benign liver cyst
2
: having a good prognosis : responding favorably to treatment
a benign psychosis
More from Merriam-Webster on benign
Nglish: Translation of benign for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of benign for Arabic Speakers
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