harmless

adjective

ˈhärm-ləs How to pronounce harmless (audio)
Definition of harmlessnext
as in benign
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt a perfectly harmless little spider

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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 harmless The large, scary-looking Joro spider that can make massive webs is popping up again in multiple states, but researchers say the invasive species is essentially harmless to humans. — Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 From infancy onward interactions between intestinal microbes and immune cells help the body distinguish harmless microorganisms from disease-causing pathogens and regulate inflammatory responses. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 But in Catalonia, even a seemingly harmless gesture can take on political significance. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 These are harmless plant relatives consisting of an algae and fungus growing together. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harmless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmless
  1. benign
  2. safe
  3. innocent
  4. innocuous
  5. inoffensive
  6. healthy
Adjective
  • Magid said his own Facebook and Instagram feeds are relatively benign.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For example, a relative’s benign remark about the texture of a turkey dinner at a family gathering might be interpreted by someone with schizophrenia as a statement meant to embarrass them.
    — Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of benign
Adjective
  • Bi is safe, and Naheim, Bryan, Jeffrey, and Joseph all line up for judgment.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Both crude oil and natural gas futures moved lower on Wednesday on expectations for Iran and Oman to strike a deal to secure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of safe
Adjective
  • Other officers helped the innocent driver walk to a nearby gas station.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
    — ByTony Atkins, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • Information that looks innocuous in isolation becomes operationally useful once aggregated.
    — Control Risks, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Tens of thousands of complaints have poured in, many accompanied by photos of innocuous clouds or airplane condensation trails.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocuous
Adjective
  • And on social media, videos show a range of other unwanted recordings, from relatively inoffensive pranks to more harmful videos featuring bullying or harassment.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
  • On the surface, Little House on the Prairie is one of the most inoffensive and wholesome shows of all time.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026
Definition of inoffensive
Adjective
  • Asians generally have longer life expectancies than those outside the region—but longer lives aren’t the same as healthier ones.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Her looks often incorporated classic country motifs like cowboy hats or bell-bottom jeans, though usually made Dolly-appropriate with a healthy helping of sparkles and vibrant hues.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of healthy

Browse Nearby Words

harming
harmless
harmlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmless. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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