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

The sins of the father are ultimately presented in a literal, stomach-churning slideshow that haphazardly alternates benign family snaps with gleeful photographic evidence of Johan’s war crimes. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

There have been rare cases of cells turning pre-cancerous, with one severe case triggering a squamous cell carcinoma, though erythema ab igne is typically regarded as a benign condition. — Mike McRae 09, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026

The rare but benign condition impacted her balance and caused headaches. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

McTominay was substituted in the second half of Napoli’s 2-1 home defeat against Como in August and required corrective surgery for a medical condition that Napoli confirmed as a mild, benign arrhythmia. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

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