1
: free from harm, liability, or loss
2
: lacking capacity or intent to injure : innocuous
a harmless joke
harmlessly
adverb
harmlessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of harmless in a Sentence
His ideas seem harmless enough.
We're just having a bit of harmless fun.
It was just a harmless joke.
Recent Examples on the Web
While some argue that eating an item with the intent to pay for it later is harmless, others point out that this habit often crosses a line.
—
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
While click baiting may be harmless, producing hate and discontent for personal financial gain is despicable.
—Rochelle Eastman, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Sometimes, these spots are harmless and indicate excessive strain or wearing something too tight.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 7 Feb. 2025
And while glutathione is harmless, people are buying it online and injecting it themselves, at home, which could pose a danger to consumers' health.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for harmless 
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.
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
While click baiting may be harmless, producing hate and discontent for personal financial gain is despicable.
—Rochelle Eastman, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Sometimes, these spots are harmless and indicate excessive strain or wearing something too tight.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 7 Feb. 2025
And while glutathione is harmless, people are buying it online and injecting it themselves, at home, which could pose a danger to consumers' health.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for harmless
Dictionary Entries Near harmless
Cite this Entry
“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmless. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
harmless
adjective
harm·less
ˈhärm-ləs 
1
: free from harm
2
: unable to harm
harmlessly
adverb
harmlessness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share