as in benign
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
a perfectly harmless little spider
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Recent Examples of harmless
These compounds work together to: Modulate Immune Function: By interacting with the ECS, cannabinoids can help regulate the immune system’s reaction to harmless allergens, preventing the overreaction that leads to allergy symptoms.
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Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
Over and over again, Joe puts women into one of three categories: love interest (worthy, perfect); evil (rich, must die); and stupid (harmless, might have to die but who would even care).
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
That one bad memory aside, Forte also pulled plenty of harmless pranks on his parents.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The texters have multiple objectives by sending seemingly harmless missives to your phone.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmless
Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025
Over and over again, Joe puts women into one of three categories: love interest (worthy, perfect); evil (rich, must die); and stupid (harmless, might have to die but who would even care).
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025
That one bad memory aside, Forte also pulled plenty of harmless pranks on his parents.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The texters have multiple objectives by sending seemingly harmless missives to your phone.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for harmless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmless
Adjective
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The trade war wasn’t necessarily the main reason for the benign readings.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Some people see gentle needling as the same as a compliment or benign conversation.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The nets are closing in on them, the circle is getting tighter, and even their own places of worship are not safe.—
Scott Santarosa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
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Despite these obstacles, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby tells CNN flying is still safe at Newark — and nationwide — because airlines are scaling back the amount of flights departing day by day.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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These rapid deportations mean some innocent people are being denied the chance to clear their name in a U.S. courtroom.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Seeing innocent people arrested for exercising their civil rights, sparked his desire to pursue a career in law.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Jordan, the track’s head starter, grabs a button in his right hand, the same sort of innocuous mechanism a Jeopardy contestant might use to buzz in.—
Dana O'Neil,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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Now reimagined through a distinctly Turkish lens, the film explores the emotional erosion of a young couple after the arrival of a new child and the purchase of a deceptively innocuous piece of furniture.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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At night, be warned that a red light district — largely inoffensive (depending in your POV) but real — sits behind the hotel and envelops a Thai boxing ring.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Once inside the body, the silk fibroin is inoffensive.—
Amy Paturel,
Discover Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While pineapple can be part of a healthy diet, its natural sugar content may concern people with diabetes.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
9 May 2025
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Holly took three significant lessons from her years in healthcare consulting and used them to lay the groundwork for Sapphire and Salt’s mission: The U.S. population is continuously less healthy, with chronic preventable diseases increasing.—
Jennifer Pierce,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmless. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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