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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benign
Except for the gliomas, the other nine tumors are all considered benign.
—
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 June 2026
The potential jailbreaks that have been disclosed to us are either entirely benign responses or are minor findings that provide no Mythos-specific uplift.
—Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 13 June 2026
Many spreading this story are doing so with little or no evidence of wrongdoing and are instead relying on information that is false or can be explained by more benign reasons.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
That something so benign could wreak so much havoc against the backdrop of a place as humdrum as a corner restaurant is what makes the story (written by TZ mainstay Richard Matheson) so terrifying.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for benign
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 June 2026
The potential jailbreaks that have been disclosed to us are either entirely benign responses or are minor findings that provide no Mythos-specific uplift.
—Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 13 June 2026
Many spreading this story are doing so with little or no evidence of wrongdoing and are instead relying on information that is false or can be explained by more benign reasons.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
That something so benign could wreak so much havoc against the backdrop of a place as humdrum as a corner restaurant is what makes the story (written by TZ mainstay Richard Matheson) so terrifying.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for benign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign
Adjective
-
Not the harmless kind that arrives during a slow afternoon.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
The test itself is harmless, but acting on the results can cause harm.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Bemotrizinol is gentle enough to use on children as young as 6 months, according to the FDA, and has lower levels of absorption through the skin and into the body.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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During the Sudanese civil war, South Sudan’s elephant population plummeted from 100,000 to 5,000 over three decades, as herds of gentle bystanders got caught in the crossfire.—
The Los Angeles Times,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Despite a ballot mix-up by the State's vendor, the State Board of Elections (SBE) has maintained that all ballots and voting is safe.—
Bryant Reed,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
The set comes in over 10 colors, including a summer-ready coral and soothing sage green.—
Better Homes & Gardens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
-
There’s a cosmic irony in referencing Yoshimura, whose soothing compositions were famously commissioned to accompany showrooms for model homes in Japan in the 1980s and have since become synonymous with domestic comfort.—
Harry Thorfinn-George,
Pitchfork,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
But so do bursts of color, softer fabrics and strange patterns.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Any outdoor space equipped with a sun shade sail offers relief from the heat, mild protection from rain and an improved aesthetic.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
-
Some experience mild discomfort.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Rent tubes from outfitters like Smoky Mountain River Rat and opt for an adventurous one-hour tube run to navigate a few rapids, or keep things more mellow on a two-hour family and dog-friendly route.—
Terry Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
17 June 2026
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The flavor was somewhere between a tangy sharp cheddar and a rich, mellow mild cheddar.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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