INNOCUOUS Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

innocuous

adjective

i-ˈnä-kyə-wəs

Definition of innocuous

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

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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 Most of them are fairly innocuous, such as controlling dark mode. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026 The report’s conclusion speculates that keeping things private, even innocuous ones, signals secretiveness. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 These were pretty innocuous in the grand scheme of things, but were hanging as a PR headache for Ferrari heading to its home race. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Specs AccordionItemContainerButton Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton Downsides Scandinavian simplicity transforms this innocuous open shoe rack into something more. — Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for innocuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocuous

Adjective

What began years ago as a war for influence in Yemen between Iran and Saudi Arabia has now escalated to a challenge to maritime law rooted in guarantees for harmless passage of commercial ships.

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026
An avid runner and golfer fit and trim enough to pass for a man a decade younger, the silver-haired Claire was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in 2015 when what looked like a harmless spot on his lip turned out to be cancerous.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of harmless

Adjective

Peet, who had been screened since her late 30s because of dense breast tissue and prior benign lumps, was treated with a lumpectomy and radiation and is now on tamoxifen.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
In about 90% of those cases, the finding turns out to be benign.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of benign

Adjective

More than 150 innocent civilians were also killed in those strikes, according to a report released by the Pentagon this August.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
In England, poet William Cowper portrayed Mai as an innocent corrupted by European society.

— Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of innocent

Browse Nearby Words

innocents

innocuous

innominate

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“Innocuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocuous. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of innocuous

adjective

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