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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
basking under a benign sun on a day in early spring
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of benign
Parents have already suffered through too many fake treatments that have been, at best, expensive but benign, and at worst, horrifyingly harmful.
—
Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
One of the more benign but notable side effects is that, ironically, taking supplemental iron interferes with the absorption of iron from food.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Lee Archinal, also a senior threat hunt analyst at Intel 471, explained that EDR data with short retention makes benign but rare behaviors — like opening Word once a month — look like anomalies.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
September's been an unusually benign month.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benign
Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
One of the more benign but notable side effects is that, ironically, taking supplemental iron interferes with the absorption of iron from food.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Lee Archinal, also a senior threat hunt analyst at Intel 471, explained that EDR data with short retention makes benign but rare behaviors — like opening Word once a month — look like anomalies.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
September's been an unusually benign month.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign
Adjective
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Lawmakers have promised that schools and local governments, which receive a large share of the sales tax revenue the state collects, will be held harmless by the shift.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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But plenty of seemingly harmless items contribute to the mess, too.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This is a gentle fractional laser treatment that works by creating micro zones of heat in the skin, benefiting the complexion while boosting elasticity.—
Samantha Mims,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
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Even its most mean-spirited plotline, in which a married couple assemble a fake theater production to humiliate their ex-neighbor whose noisiness prompted them to move, is presented as more of a gentle exercise in silliness than anything truly vindictive.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Fields slept at downtown bus stops, often gathering with groups or pretending to have a firearm in her coat to stay safe.—
Ashley Hiruko,
ProPublica,
6 Oct. 2025
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No payment data was accessed within the breach, meaning information like credits cards or transaction history was safe.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Jonny Greenwood’s score moves between soaring strings and dissonant piano keys, alternately soothing and anxious; a few pieces composed by Jon Brion add an ambient layer of wistfulness.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
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Jonny Greenwood’s score moves between soaring strings and dissonant piano keys, alternately soothing and anxious; a few pieces composed by Jon Brion add an ambient layer of wistfulness.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As a result, when animals died and sank, their soft tissues were occasionally preserved instead of being consumed or decaying.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
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Hamilton Chaise Sectional Sofa Made from a soft polyester blend, this couch has deep seats designed for ultimate relaxation.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Chipotle and adobo give it a gentle heat and depth, while the green chiles add a mild tang.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
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When to Visit Spring and fall are Capitol Reef’s prime travel times, with milder temperatures and less monsoon risk.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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On his way to the field, Mark likes to listen to mellow tunes from Rufus Du Sol and Tame Impala, his favorite artist.—
Evan Burke,
Billboard,
22 Sep. 2025
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Get the recipe > The mellow sweetness of summer corn and lobster meat harmonize beautifully in this ultimate summer soup.—
SAVEUR Editors,
Saveur,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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