harmless

adjective

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

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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.
Allergens are normally harmless substances (often proteins) that can trigger the immune system to produce an allergic reaction in some people.1 Common indoor allergens include dust mites, mold, pollen, insects, rodents, and pet dander. — Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025 But is what seems like a harmless habit inhibiting you from doing your best work? — Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2025 The attack starts with hackers uploading what looks like a harmless extension to the Chrome Web Store. — Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025 The oblivious hostess and her granola maybe-roommates/maybe-lovers(??) start out harmless enough. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

harmful
harmless
Harmolita
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmless. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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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

Nglish: Translation of harmless for Spanish Speakers

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