1
as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
around campus he's known as a real character, but one whose eccentricities are entirely benign
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
basking under a benign sun on a day in early spring
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benign
When Trump is outlandish, Thune often recasts the President’s words and deeds in benign terms.
—
David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Similarly, The Church (1938) looks benign enough: a well-coiffed woman, seen from behind, ambles toward a little country chapel way down a dirt road.
—Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Something as benign as a leadoff double might trigger an alarm inside him.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Daniele Bianchi, an assistant professor in UCLA’s Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, has been studying what causes this normally benign plankton species to start secreting lethal toxins.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benign
David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Similarly, The Church (1938) looks benign enough: a well-coiffed woman, seen from behind, ambles toward a little country chapel way down a dirt road.
—Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Something as benign as a leadoff double might trigger an alarm inside him.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Daniele Bianchi, an assistant professor in UCLA’s Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, has been studying what causes this normally benign plankton species to start secreting lethal toxins.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign
Adjective
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The Northern Lights in Mexico that trended on social media were technically harmless — but if an even more powerful storm strikes, pictures of the mesmerizing aurora may struggle to make it to the internet.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Compared to other insects, most ants are harmless, Hayes said, adding that, unlike mosquitoes, ants do not carry diseases that can infect humans.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Just love, patience, and someone who sees the beauty in older cats with soft hearts and gentle spirits.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
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The Friend functions perfectly well as a dog picture, a movie about a frazzled single woman learning to care for a gentle but unruly animal in the big, bad city.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Maintain a safe distance from water, wet items, and metal objects.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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Until there is, the safest approach may be not to share at all.—
Abigail Dubiniecki,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Known for its soothing properties, the star ingredient, centella asiatica is great for those with rosacea to strengthen the skin barrier.—
Rosa Jisoo Pyo,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2025
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The moisturizing strip heats up, providing soothing warmth, much in the same way a hot towel softens the skin.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Rande, 62, matched his wife's and daughter's soft elegance by wearing a classic black tux with a white collared shirt and back tie.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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For starters, the bath products are thicker, softer, non-slip, and have drainage holes.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The snowpack would provide constant runoff for rivers and streams and lakes, a riparian cornucopia ensuring only the mildest wildfires would ever come for our arboreal paradise.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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While moderate to severe ailments require a certain amount of rest and recovery, mild ones might improve with movement.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Thursday’s Night 1 turned out to be kind of a sleepy affair for Dead & Co., as the band just sort of glided its way through most of the songs and kept things relatively mellow.—
Jim Harrington,
The Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2025
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In brief, high-rye bourbons are typically spicier, drier, and more complex, while lower-rye bourbons tend to be sweeter and mellow.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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