harmless

adjective

ˈhärm-ləs How to pronounce harmless (audio)
Definition of harmlessnext
as in benign
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt a perfectly harmless little spider

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 harmless Shortly before midnight, the squad determined the bags were harmless and contained no explosives, Anderson said. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 What began years ago as a war for influence in Yemen between Iran and Saudi Arabia has now escalated to a challenge to maritime law rooted in guarantees for harmless passage of commercial ships. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026 Scientists do this by sending instructions directly to neurons via a harmless virus. — Kimberlee D'ardenne, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 Some cracks might be harmless, normal shrinkage cracks, but others might indicate a serious structural issue. — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for harmless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for harmless
  1. benign
  2. safe
  3. innocent
  4. innocuous
  5. inoffensive
  6. healthy
Adjective
  • The researchers reported that PROTEA could distinguish harmful and benign plans with reasonable accuracy, although the university’s announcement did not provide numerical detection rates.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Especially when your polling is no doubt telling you that progressives and anti-capitalists will struggle to trust any billionaire, however seemingly benign.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of benign
Adjective
  • The results help scientists keep nuclear weapons safe and functional without having to set one off.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Recent surveys featured in this newsletter have found Democrats believe more strongly that vaccines are safe and effective, and Republicans are often more skeptical.
    — Amanda Erickson, STAT, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of safe
Adjective
  • An innocent person could potentially have faced unnecessary scrutiny.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone charged is presumed innocent while their cases move through the courts.
    — Raven Lightsey, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • The latest incidents reported by OpenAI highlight how agents can autonomously weaken safety guardrails while carrying out seemingly innocuous tasks.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • My main issue with these beloved and mostly innocuous $16 drinking glasses is less about their design and more about their never-ending trail of replicas.
    — Francesca Krempa, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of innocuous
Adjective
  • Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The reaction of longtime fans to a packaging refresh tends to vary, but these new labels seem to be pretty inoffensive.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of inoffensive
Adjective
  • And while the new study was conducted only among cancer patients, Mak said more research could reveal whether similar findings may emerge among otherwise healthy people who may be interested in their longevity.
    — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Sophie, mom Annie and her great-aunt comprised The 3 Suckers — a play on the small side shoots that can stunt the growth of healthy leaves.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of healthy

Browse Nearby Words

harming
harmless
harmlessness
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Cite this Entry

“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/harmless. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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