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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of benign
Pink discoloration can be caused by a few different issues—some of them benign and some that come with serious food safety concerns.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for benign
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for benign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign
Adjective
-
For places where water can’t be drained, like ponds and fountains, use mosquito dunks or bits that contain bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, BTI, a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae but is harmless to pets, birds and other wildlife.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
11 Oct. 2025
-
While Daniel's actions seem harmless and educational to many, some TikTok users are questioning several aspects of the children's show.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Senior editor Joe Sevier lauded the gentler white flower aromas and flavors.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Friends remember her as a gentle soul, who loved the piano, and a loyal Kennedy.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
According to researchers, the innovative approach promises to bypass the efficiency loss and signal disruptions previously caused by converting light, paving the way for faster, safer, and more robust global quantum communication.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And though the interiors are truly the star of the show here, don’t forget to peer through the floor-to-ceiling windows; views of Arthur’s Seat serve as a soothing balm.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Designed with wellness in mind, the center’s architecture and amenities, such as natural lighting and soothing environments, aim to support both medical and emotional health.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The actress kept the rest of her look casual and texture-focused, pairing her mary janes with a soft gray sweater featuring an oversized ruffle neckline and a raw-hem denim miniskirt.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
By cutting t-shirts into continuous strips and giving them a gentle stretch, the fabric curls into a soft, versatile yarn.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
An opening night loss — even an ugly one — is still only a mild form of adversity compared to what Detroit is going to see over the course of the season.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Travelers can expect a smooth holiday period overall, marked by mild to moderate weather variations across the country.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Apples tend to be crisp with a tangy-sweet flavor, while pears are softer, with a grainier texture and a more mellow sweetness.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Powered by a mellow-yet rhythmic Afrobeats tune, the cheeky track finds Miko lusting over a stripper in this seductive narrative that captures an undeniable connection between the two.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share