nonthreatening

adjective non·threat·en·ing \ ˌnän-ˈthret-niŋ , -ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of nonthreatening

1 : not constituting a threat

a nonthreatening illness

2 : not likely to cause anxiety

a nonthreatening environment

; also : innocuous 2

See nonthreatening defined for English-language learners

See nonthreatening defined for kids

Examples of nonthreatening in a Sentence

It's best to approach the dog in a calm, nonthreatening way.

Recent Examples of nonthreatening from the Web

They were raised on King, the myth, sanitized for general consumption — some would say rendered nonthreatening to white America — and passed on through school programs and feel good television specials.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy still lives on in the work of young Baltimore activists," 4 Apr. 2018
Cartoonish in-jokes turn out to be an effective, nonthreatening entry point for even the most extreme ideologies.

— angela watercutter, WIRED, "The WIRED Guide to Memes," 1 Apr. 2018
According to CBS News Los Angeles, the 46-year-old Feldman -- who drove himself to the hospital -- received what police characterized as a minor, nonthreatening stab wound to the abdomen.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "Actor Corey Feldman hospitalized after he says he was stabbed," 28 Aug. 2017
That says a lot about Atkins' pleasant, nonthreatening personality.

— george skelton, latimes.com, "In her historic rise to California Senate leader, Toni Atkins brings hope for a calmer era in the Capitol," 22 Mar. 2018
The walk is aimed at getting teens that information in a fun and nonthreatening setting.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Naperville teen fighting stigma of mental illness, suicide with new 'unity' walk," 20 Mar. 2018
Communicate with your partner in a nonthreatening way, because ultimatums and threats do not prevent affairs.

— monique judge, The Root, "Cheating: Who, What, Why and How to Recover," 14 Mar. 2018
Here, the image — a powerful black man quelling his emotion and struggling to present as calm, smaller, nonthreatening — has the strength of parable.

— james poniewozik, New York Times, "Review: ‘Black Lightning’ Is Pulp With a Purpose," 15 Jan. 2018
Otherwise, the 2013 Leaf is still just as unobtrusive and nonthreatening to drive as before, with largely progressive brake feel and light but precise steering that offers almost no feel.

— mike spinelli, Popular Mechanics, "2013 Nissan Leaf Test Drive," 30 Apr. 2013

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nonthreatening.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of nonthreatening

1963

NONTHREATENING Defined for English Language Learners

nonthreatening

adjective

Definition of nonthreatening for English Language Learners

: not likely to cause someone to be afraid or worried : not threatening

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nonthreatening

Definition of nonthreatening

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nonthreatening

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