as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
those innocuous lies we must tell every day if society is to remain civil
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Recent Examples of innocuous
This shift, though seemingly innocuous at the time, made politics even less about individual issues and more like a team sport.
—
Joe Árvai, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025
Of course, cognitive dissonance makes the world go ‘round, and preaching the virtues of responsible gambling while serving as a sort of virtual, non-thumb-breaking bookie is fairly innocuous compared to [gestures at everything].
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2025
But as the drug’s prevalence increases, so, too, does the perception that cannabis is innocuous, whether used recreationally or medically.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
While some news segments can be fairly innocuous, others can be upsetting—and those stories can switch from one to the next after only a commercial break.
—Ella Cerón, Parents, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for innocuous 
Joe Árvai, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025
Of course, cognitive dissonance makes the world go ‘round, and preaching the virtues of responsible gambling while serving as a sort of virtual, non-thumb-breaking bookie is fairly innocuous compared to [gestures at everything].
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 Jan. 2025
But as the drug’s prevalence increases, so, too, does the perception that cannabis is innocuous, whether used recreationally or medically.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025
While some news segments can be fairly innocuous, others can be upsetting—and those stories can switch from one to the next after only a commercial break.
—Ella Cerón, Parents, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for innocuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocuous
Adjective
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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
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Sometimes, these spots are harmless and indicate excessive strain or wearing something too tight.—
Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed,
Health,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Something as benign as a common cold had the potential to be deadly.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
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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
Adjective
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After a 16-month war that started with the horrific killing of 1,200 innocent Israelis and abduction of 250 more by Hamas terrorists and then the killing of more than 47,500 people in Gaza — mostly women and children — a fragile ceasefire began Jan. 19.—
Mike Quigley,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
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One day, during an innocent prank call in a phone booth, Richard shockingly witnesses his classmate violently get sucked into the phone receiver and disappear without a trace.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near innocuous
Cite this Entry
“Innocuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocuous. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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