INNOCUOUS Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

innocuous

adjective

i-ˈnä-kyə-wəs

Definition of innocuous

as in harmless

not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt those innocuous lies we must tell every day if society is to remain civil

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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 innocuous Functional connectivity in the fetal brain develops substantially later in gestation, with measurable differences in brain activity and facial responses to noxious versus innocuous stimulation appearing at approximately 33 weeks. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026 Most of them are fairly innocuous, such as controlling dark mode. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026 The report’s conclusion speculates that keeping things private, even innocuous ones, signals secretiveness. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 These were pretty innocuous in the grand scheme of things, but were hanging as a PR headache for Ferrari heading to its home race. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for innocuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocuous

Adjective

These symptoms can have harmless explanations, and Midnight Mimosa may operate without obvious warning signs.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
This allows the system to identify actions that may appear harmless individually but become dangerous in context.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of harmless

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

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innocents

innocuous

innominate

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“Innocuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocuous. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of innocuous

adjective

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