nonthreatening

adjective

non·​threat·​en·​ing ˌnän-ˈthret-niŋ How to pronounce nonthreatening (audio)
-ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of nonthreateningnext
1
: not constituting a threat
a nonthreatening illness
2
: not likely to cause anxiety
a nonthreatening environment
also : innocuous sense 2

Examples of nonthreatening in a Sentence

It's best to approach the dog in a calm, nonthreatening way.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Talk over your concerns with your boss in a nonthreatening and professional way. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2022 These feel natural and nonthreatening but still move the conversation forward. — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was ‘set free,’ because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. — Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025 There have been 14 missiles fired — 13 were knocked down, and 1 was 'set free,' because it was headed in a nonthreatening direction. — Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nonthreatening

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonthreatening was in 1963

Rhymes for nonthreatening

See All Rhymes for nonthreatening

Browse Nearby Words

nonthinking
nonthreatening
nontidal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonthreatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonthreatening. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nonthreatening

adjective
non·​threat·​en·​ing -ˈthret-ᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce nonthreatening (audio)
1
: not constituting a threat
a nonthreatening illness
2
: not likely to cause anxiety
nonthreatening activities
also : innocuous sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on nonthreatening

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nonthreatening

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