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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Being offensive was its social role, harmless as long as the art was safely ensconced in a museum. — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026 There’s a reason Hollywood thrives on harmless, lovable characters that turn into malevolent, even homicidal, threats. — Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Because toasters generate high heat, even what seems like a harmless layer of crumbs can become problematic. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 July 2026 And while their appearance can be unsettling, earwigs are generally harmless to humans and pets. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 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
  • In the show, her tumor is benign, but doctors discover potentially cancerous cells growing behind the mass.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2026
  • Acumen’s policy will allow patients to request an audience while meeting with a radiologist to determine whether a lump is cancerous or benign.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Definition of benign
Adjective
  • All children’s summer camps in Kerr County confirmed their campers were safe, according to the county sheriff’s office.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Suzanne Engelke, the city’s alternative transportation analyst, said the traffic garden will provide a safe, car-free space where children can learn traffic safety while riding bikes, scooters and roller skates.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of safe
Adjective
  • Instead, Judith completes the task on her own terms, terrorizing Sam and innocent skiers in her wake.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 July 2026
  • The investigator, Dan Myers, met with Clapper and came away with the impression that Clapper believed Broadwater was innocent of the crime and Weakfall was guilty.
    — ProPublica, ProPublica, 14 July 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • To the grandparent, the situation might seem innocuous; after all, its just one episode of television while the adults do chores.
    — Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 17 July 2026
  • Whether for people, wildlife or astronomical observatories, the beam from this single test satellite is far from innocuous.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 July 2026
Definition of innocuous
Adjective
  • 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
  • The Breadwinner is aiming to recapture the satisfaction of going to see a three-out-of-five-star movie, offering decent laughs in an inoffensive package.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Definition of inoffensive
Adjective
  • Each format layers protein with fiber and healthy fats, which helps stretch a small meal into real nutrition.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 15, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Such tests are not recommended for cognitively healthy people, but specialists can use them in people with signs of mild cognitive impairment or more advanced dementia.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of healthy

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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 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on harmless

Nglish: Translation of harmless for Spanish Speakers

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