harmless

adjective

harm·​less ˈhärm-ləs How to pronounce harmless (audio)
1
: free from harm, liability, or loss
2
: lacking capacity or intent to injure : innocuous
a harmless joke
harmlessly adverb
harmlessness noun

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
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.
As for carrots, consuming substantial quantities of carrot juice over time can lead to a temporary condition called carotenemia, a harmless but noticeable yellow-orange tint to the skin. Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025 The researchers stress that this test used a harmless example (making the model spit out gibberish text) that is unlikely to pose significant risks in frontier models. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025 Once captured, the pollutants are converted through a natural chemical reaction into stable byproducts—CO2 into carbonates such as calcium carbonate (CaCOz) and NOx into small quantities of harmless nitrates. Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025 Benton, of the Senior Citizens League, said a hold harmless provision will ensure that Social Security checks do not decrease, as a result of the Medicare increase. Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for harmless

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of harmless was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmless. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

harmless

adjective
harm·​less ˈhärm-ləs How to pronounce harmless (audio)
1
: free from harm
2
: unable to harm
harmlessly adverb
harmlessness noun

Legal Definition

harmless

adjective
harm·​less
1
: free from harm, liability, or loss
often used in the phrase to hold harmless
see also hold harmless
2
: lacking capacity or intent to injure
harmlessly adverb
harmlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on harmless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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