harmless

adjective

harm·​less ˈhärm-ləs How to pronounce harmless (audio)
1
: free from harm, liability, or loss
2
: lacking capacity or intent to injure : innocuous
a harmless joke
harmlessly adverb
harmlessness noun

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
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.
Jar Jar Binks Actor Reflects on Backlash to Phantom Menace: 'My Career Began and Ended' with Star Wars (Exclusive) Mr. Reed, Grant’s character in Heretic, appears to be harmless at first, welcoming two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into his home. Jen Juneau, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024 Microaggressions can seem harmless or minor, but can accumulate and cause significant stress or discomfort for the recipient. Michaela Zee, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024 This condition is usually harmless and often gets better during puberty. Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 2 Nov. 2024 Halloween may be a time for ghouls, goblins, and harmless pranks, but in the digital landscape, there’s a new trick with devastating consequences. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for harmless 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of harmless was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near harmless

Cite this Entry

“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmless. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

harmless

adjective
harm·​less ˈhärm-ləs How to pronounce harmless (audio)
1
: free from harm
2
: unable to harm
harmlessly adverb
harmlessness noun

Legal Definition

harmless

adjective
harm·​less
1
: free from harm, liability, or loss
often used in the phrase to hold harmless
see also hold harmless
2
: lacking capacity or intent to injure
harmlessly adverb
harmlessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on harmless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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