Synonyms of benign

benign

adjective

bi-ˈnīn 

1

as in harmless

not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt

around campus he's known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign

Synonyms & Similar Words

• harmless
• safe
• innocent
• innocuous
• healthy
• white
• inoffensive
• anodyne
• mild
• sound
• benignant
• gentle
• healthful
• hurtless
• salubrious
• wholesome
• gracious
• trustworthy
• unobjectionable
• nonthreatening
• painless
• nontoxic
• nonpoisonous
• noninfectious
• nondestructive
• nonpolluting
• noncorrosive
• nonfatal
• nonlethal
• nonvenomous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dangerous
• harmful
• evil
• bad
• adverse
• detrimental
• pernicious
• deleterious
• ill
• injurious
• noxious
• damaging
• mischievous
• prejudicial
• wicked
• poisonous
• hurtful
• baneful
• baleful
• sinister
• hazardous
• ominous
• threatening
• menacing
• venomous
• risky
• unsafe
• nocuous
• perilous
• unsound
• painful
• unhealthy
• malignant
• unwholesome
• nasty
• unhealthful
• offensive
• fatal
• lethal
• deadly
• destructive
• insidious
• ruinous
• noxious
• parlous
• scathing
• noisome
• polluted
• imperiling
• jeopardizing
• wounding
• pestilent
• tainted

2

as in gentle

not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect

basking under a benign sun on a day in early spring

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gentle
• soothing
• soft
• mild
• mellow
• bland
• light
• delicate
• quiet
• peaceful
• balmy
• smooth
• serene
• tender
• calm
• nonabrasive
• tranquil
• compassionate
• placid
• easy
• merciful
• lenient
• pacific
• softening
• sleek
• slick
• clement
• emollient
• buffering
• cushioning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• powerful
• caustic
• harsh
• coarse
• severe
• hard
• abrasive
• rough
• intense
• stern
• violent
• exquisite
• fierce
• scathing
• forceful
• strong
• forcible
• savage
• ungentle
• irritating
• rugged
• grim
• oppressive
• rude
• stiff
• gruff
• tyrannical
• pitiless
• roughened
• roughening
• abrading
• heavy-handed

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of benign

This helps to accurately distinguish disease-carrying mosquitoes from benign species while keeping users safe through mobile and web app controls. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026

Burls are benign and are the result of a response in growth to outside stresses. — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

Reports indicate that Fable 5 declined to answer a range of benign educational questions in fields such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics – including basic prompts about mitochondria. — James Marks, Fortune, 23 July 2026

In other words, the department rescinded its directive only after Anthropic’s models were hobbled to the point that many benign queries now trigger the guardrails. — João Marinotti, The Conversation, 21 July 2026

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