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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
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
Much like Uncle Tom, Xavier, the perfect biracial teenager, is presented as a nonthreatening fantasy for the book’s white audience.
—Kiley Reid, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2020
See All Example Sentences for nonthreatening
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
Much like Uncle Tom, Xavier, the perfect biracial teenager, is presented as a nonthreatening fantasy for the book’s white audience.
—Kiley Reid, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2020
See All Example Sentences for nonthreatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonthreatening
Adjective
-
Many everyday foods in Japan are super healthy, and the cuisine is based on natural, nutritious ingredients.—
Veronica Cristino,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
-
Environmental justice grants are intended to help protect people from disproportionate exposure to industrial pollutants or environmental hazards and ensure everyone has access to a healthy living environment.—
Tracy J. Wholf
June 26,
CBS News,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
The parchment tube worm is a couple of inches long and about a half-inch wide and is harmless, Seid said.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
-
Generally, face yoga exercises are harmless, Alam said.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
Only 2 percent of cockroach species are pests, while the other 7,000 or so species are benign, Ware says.—
Madeline Bodin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 June 2025
-
Why Is Important for Parents to Be Aware of Bop House Content On most social media platforms, The Bop House’s content is relatively benign, usually taking the form of TikTok dances and games or an inside look at special events, like their private jet trip to the Super Bowl.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Maybe that’s the lesson the university is actually communicating to its students, beneath whatever charmingly nasal encouragement Kermit doles out on graduation day: to err on the unobjectionable side when things look dicey.—
Callie Holtermann,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Many orders can be unobjectionable, such as giving federal employees the day after Christmas off.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The party scenes with leggy dancers, meant to be decadent, are inoffensive.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
-
But its efforts to remain anonymous and inoffensive have been undone by allegations of labor abuses, environmental criticisms and, despite moving its headquarters to Singapore, persistent concerns about its Chinese ownership.—
Timothy McLaughlin,
Wired News,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
Seemingly innocuous actions, like sharing login credentials to save time or skipping software updates, can become the first step toward a major security incident.—
Daniel Root,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
Many of the sites used trackers in relatively innocuous ways, like counting page views.—
Colin Lecher,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
But the Dodgers are about October, and getting there may not be painless with Jack Dreyer making one fewer start than Glasnow, and twice as many as Snell.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
-
Other details: Capsule endoscopy is painless and does not require sedation, but preparation is similar to that for a colonoscopy.—
Adaira Landry,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
The advisory is in effect until 11 p.m. Recommendations from the NWS for staying safe during a flood For either residents or campers of flood-prone, low-lying areas, take immediate action and seek higher ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2025
-
Shop for discounts Regional and national car insurance companies offer discounts for a variety of drivers, including good students, homeowners, veterans, safe drivers and households with more than one car on a policy.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonthreatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonthreatening. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share