as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
those innocuous lies we must tell every day if society is to remain civil
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 innocuous
Cardamom is named for a rather innocuous spice dominant in South Asian and Middle Eastern desserts.
—
Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Against this background, how can a seemingly innocuous sentence in a young soldier’s diary have a historic impact?
Pvt.
—Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
While the announcement during Tesla's fourth quarter earnings call seemed innocuous, its rollout could have heavy implications for the future of Tesla, as many investors have been hanging their hopes on the brand's promises of innovation.
—Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 15 July 2025
Each bomb test was given an innocuous name—Sugar, Easy, Zucchini, Orange—and then detonated in the desert or ocean.
—The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for innocuous
Alexandra Bregman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Against this background, how can a seemingly innocuous sentence in a young soldier’s diary have a historic impact?
Pvt.
—Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 July 2025
While the announcement during Tesla's fourth quarter earnings call seemed innocuous, its rollout could have heavy implications for the future of Tesla, as many investors have been hanging their hopes on the brand's promises of innovation.
—Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 15 July 2025
Each bomb test was given an innocuous name—Sugar, Easy, Zucchini, Orange—and then detonated in the desert or ocean.
—The Atlantic, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for innocuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocuous
Adjective
-
For the moment, that strategy on the part of the artists may work, given how seemingly harmless the imaginary images are, but Grome warns that problems could ensue.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Anyone who has asked Shildt a legitimate (and often harmless) question and gotten a flummoxed look and then a response that ranges from condescending to combative knew what was coming.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The virus is now known to be a DNA virus that is genetically related to human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause benign warts or certain types of cancer in humans.—
Matthew Binnicker,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
In addition, the AI program flagged only 2% of benign files as dangerous.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
On the way back to her workstation after the 0830 all clear, Masako indulged this innocent conceit by regaling some of her Kenjo coworkers with a claim about her father’s apparently magical ability to protect himself and his family from American bombs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The video then hard cuts to Noem jumping out of an ICE vehicle and gunning down an innocent puppy in the street.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Innocuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocuous. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share