BENIGN Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

benign

adjective

bi-ˈnīn

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

as in gentle

not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect basking under a benign sun on a day in early spring

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 benign During Tuesday's hearing, the court heard that the now 18-month-old child had been diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis as an infant and suffered from benign tumors, per the ABC. —

Becca Longmire, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025 However benign or malicious — whatever its life or death, possible eternal salvation or never-ending damnation — this spirit seizes your attention from the get-go because everything in this twisty, technically virtuosic, surprisingly moving chiller is shot from its point of view. —

Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 It’s been a long way down from their kind’s originary pose as benign geniuses who wanted to bring peace, love, and connectedness to the world one byte or bit of binary code at a time. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 Pearson, who has neurofibromatosis type 1, a condition that produces benign skin tumors all over his face, certainly fit the bill. —

Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for benign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign

Adjective

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
Sometimes, these spots are harmless and indicate excessive strain or wearing something too tight.

— Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, Health, 7 Feb. 2025