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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Recent Examples of nonthreatening
These feel natural and nonthreatening but still move the conversation forward.
—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins The Athletic rating: 3.5 (6th) Fan rating: 3.7 (7th)
McIndoe: Penguins are adorable, nonthreatening and almost completely harmless.
—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
20 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
See All Example Sentences for nonthreatening
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins The Athletic rating: 3.5 (6th) Fan rating: 3.7 (7th)
McIndoe: Penguins are adorable, nonthreatening and almost completely harmless.
—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
20 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
See All Example Sentences for nonthreatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonthreatening
Adjective
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Prior research has linked secure attachment throughout childhood and adolescence to better mental health, healthier relationships and greater emotional resilience.
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Eating both broccoli and Brussels sprouts can be part of a healthy, balanced diet.
Adjective
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The Korean Football Association was furious, responding to this juvenile, but ultimately harmless, prattle by boycotting the Korean press.
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Everyday activities like showering and cooking can create indoor condensation that may appear harmless, but can actually pose serious problems if it's not controlled.
Adjective
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Enlarged prostate Similarly, current labels on therapies generally warn that testosterone therapy may worsen symptoms of benign enlarged prostate.
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In 2019, an international group of researchers suggested that Simonetta suffered from a pituitary adenoma, or a benign tumor on the pituitary gland.
Adjective
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And on the surface, Lind's premise is unobjectionable.
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This is useful for all sorts of unobjectionable things, such as Covid testing and tracing.
Adjective
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On the surface, Little House on the Prairie is one of the most inoffensive and wholesome shows of all time.
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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.
Adjective
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This seemingly innocuous question continues to shape mathematical research to this day.
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These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.
Adjective
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The most common symptom of male breast cancer is a hard, painless lump located directly behind or near the nipple, according to experts.
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The industry is not pretending this is painless.
Adjective
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Videos have flooded social media platforms in the hours since the earthquakes hit Venezuela, with people both inside and outside the country using them to gauge the extent of the destruction, and check if the homes of uncontactable family members are safe.
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Police said in a news release Thursday afternoon that Caprice and her child have been found safe.
Cite this Entry
“Nonthreatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonthreatening. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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