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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One of the world’s five Blue Zones, Nicoya is known for its high number of centenarians whose longevity is often attributed to their healthy, community-centric lifestyle.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
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The public can also report sightings of healthy animals by clicking here.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some false versions of the story even included problematic stereotypes, making the spread more than just harmless fun.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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This incident of the seven dogs may seem trivial or harmless.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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No faction is more divided than the British, however, with benign diplomat Thomas Hopkins (Billy Howle) at odds with the almost feral Army captain Orde Wingate (Aramayo), reputed father of the modern IDF.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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Some of the essays are benign and well-documented; tales of her own neuroses, and her obsessions with the health of her father, Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm creator Larry David.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While a standard Whiskey Sour is a delightful experience, almost invariably mixed with bourbon and made smooth and unobjectionable with egg white, the Rattlesnake is that same framework but greener.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
10 Jan. 2026
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After all, humans often intervene in the natural order in morally unobjectionable ways.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
13 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Matter of fact, none of his trademark charisma or humor can be found on the entire album, which seems like a complete misunderstanding of the genre as self-serious and inoffensive.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
17 Mar. 2026
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DeBrusk is the definition of a top-six guy and his top comps — Reilly Smith, Tyler Toffoli, Jason Zucker — speak to his inoffensive archetype.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Officially, the plane was civilian doing innocuous civilian things.—
David Szondy
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
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These seemingly innocuous actions can kindle dry grass, potentially triggering a wildfire.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That the Blue Jackets were able to make this acquisition as painless as possible for the Canucks from all of those structural vantage points, restrained the acquisition cost.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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And Radcliffe and his team are working hard to make sure the experience is as painless and fun as possible for each volunteer while accounting for whatever unpredictable responses may play out.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
March 21 – April 19 This morning invites playful risks that still feel safe.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2026
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The Amber Alert issued for two Dallas children, last seen on Thursday afternoon, has been canceled after the children were found safe, Dallas police said.—
CBS Texas Staff,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonthreatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonthreatening. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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