nonthreatening

adjective

Definition of nonthreateningnext
as in healthy
not likely to cause someone to be afraid or worried; not threatening It's best to approach the dog in a calm, nonthreatening way.

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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 nonthreatening These feel natural and nonthreatening but still move the conversation forward. — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 That last one may simply be unique to Logan Lerman, the latest nonthreatening boy to take center stage in HAIM’s new album rollout. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025 Her previous recipes have included homemade marmalade, ratatouille, pasta from scratch, and tzatziki dip, which all sound lovely and nonthreatening. — Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 31 Mar. 2023 Talk over your concerns with your boss in a nonthreatening and professional way. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for nonthreatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonthreatening
  1. healthy
  2. harmless
  3. benign
  4. unobjectionable
  5. inoffensive
  6. innocuous
  7. painless
  8. safe
Adjective
  • She has been diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease that causes vision loss, and lupus, a disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues and organs instead of fighting germs, according to court records.
    — Chase Jordan July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • And unlike day one of last season, which saw offensive lineman Bayron Matos get airlifted to a local hospital and cornerback Artie Burns suffer a significant knee injury, the Dolphins emerged healthy.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • Then Schwarber worked a six-pitch at-bat only to hit a harmless groundout.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 25 July 2026
  • There are conceivable uses that might seem entertaining or harmless, such as interacting with a consenting celebrity or a recreation of a historical figure.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of harmless
Adjective
  • Heartbreak and rejection leave people emotionally vulnerable, and the manosphere pitch often comes paired with benign advice about standing up for yourself, being mentally tough, or becoming physically active.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • Some incidents are benign, while others can be signs of something more serious.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 27 July 2026
Definition of benign
Adjective
  • Such qualities might be unobjectionable, even desirable, in and of themselves, but their ubiquitous appearance across the internet has turned them into instant design clichés.
    — Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 24 June 2026
  • And on the surface, Lind's premise is unobjectionable.
    — Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of unobjectionable
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
  • Employees who were tasked with making the Unicorn Frappuccino in 2017, along with interested observers, took to social media at the time to air their grievances regarding the seemingly innocuous pink drink.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of innocuous
Adjective
  • Islamic tradition, similar to Kosher rules, requires meat to be prepared in a certain way, with a swift cut to the throat to enable an animal’s quick, relatively painless death and allowing the blood to drain.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
  • There are many ways to strengthen Social Security’s finances, but none of them is painless.
    — byDoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 July 2026
Definition of painless
Adjective
  • Officers say the changes are aimed at addressing a recent rise in overnight disturbances while reassuring visitors and businesses that Old Sacramento remains a safe destination.
    — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • City leaders say the buildings are safe and that data submitted to Florida regulators were miscategorized.
    — David Smiley, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of safe

Browse Nearby Words

nonthinking
nonthreatening
nontotalitarian
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Cite this Entry

“Nonthreatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonthreatening. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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