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.
This malware hides in seemingly harmless applications, such as a game called Minesweeper and a note-taking app referred to as a Notepad. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2024 Even something as seemingly harmless as the hum of appliances or the drone of traffic can have unintended consequences. Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024 Learn more › Extended time in space is not exactly harmless to the human body. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Nov. 2024 The issues people value and consider in voting are very personal to them, so what one employee might consider a harmless remark can be received as a personal affront by another. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near harmless

Cite this Entry

“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmless. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

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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