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
  • Understanding the benefits muscle cells have as endocrine workhorses could help keep us all healthier in the long run.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Higher benchmark yields can lift financing costs even for healthy companies, potentially making some factories, data centers, acquisitions and other investments less economically viable.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of healthy
Adjective
  • Hay fever is defined as cold-like symptoms caused by an allergic response to a harmless outdoor and indoor substance the body identifies as harmful, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    — Ron Smiley, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Lynch’s massive draft whiffs feel like harmless clerical rounding errors next to his good work in handling all the off-the-field stuff that lands on his desk.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of harmless
Adjective
  • The market's fear gauge, the volatility index known as the VIX, is at very benign levels under 16, while the S & P 500 is within spitting distance of its highs.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • But the Jewish contribution to childhood wasn’t always benign.
    — Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 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
  • 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
  • Although an innocuous move at first glance, Ralph Alvarado’s decision to remove mentions of Trump on his campaign materials comes as some worry the president’s slump in national polling could hurt the GOP in November’s midterms.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • What appeared to be an innocuous 2025 offseason knee issue continues to loom.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocuous
Adjective
  • Other footballers found changing hairstyles similarly painless.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Governing requires trade-offs, and honest leaders should explain them instead of pretending that borrowing offers a painless alternative.
    — Carolyn Bourdeaux, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of painless
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

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 4 Sep. 2026.

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