BENIGN Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

benign

adjective

bi-ˈnīn

Definition of benign

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

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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 The sins of the father are ultimately presented in a literal, stomach-churning slideshow that haphazardly alternates benign family snaps with gleeful photographic evidence of Johan’s war crimes. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026 There have been rare cases of cells turning pre-cancerous, with one severe case triggering a squamous cell carcinoma, though erythema ab igne is typically regarded as a benign condition. — Mike McRae 09, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026 The rare but benign condition impacted her balance and caused headaches. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 McTominay was substituted in the second half of Napoli’s 2-1 home defeat against Como in August and required corrective surgery for a medical condition that Napoli confirmed as a mild, benign arrhythmia. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for benign

Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign

Adjective

Rogers testified at his trial that the questions were harmless.

— Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Some belongings are too personal, while others require an extra layer of protection Realtors can’t provide, and a few seemingly harmless items can distract buyers from your home entirely.

— Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of harmless

Adjective

Cagle added that the photo showed a confident, brilliant, brave, polite, gracious, kind and gentle young man.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026
He was focussed on the man, encouraging him in a gentle voice to put one foot in front of the other.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of gentle

Adjective

According to MoDOT, the full closure will allow construction to be completed quicker, safer and more cost-effectively than keeping lanes open.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Plus, its 18-inch USB cable ensures a fast, stable connection while also being long enough to keep the HDD at a safe distance.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of safe

Adjective

However, the company said beer depletions, a measure of sales from distributors to retailers and other customers, declined slightly during the quarter, indicating consumer demand was softer than shipment growth suggests.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Passion fruit seeds are soft and edible, but there are just too many to be enjoyable.

— Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of soft

Adjective

Kelly said that too often medical records note only a concussion, which is in fact a mild traumatic brain injury, but can be overlooked.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
On the upside, the villas are one of the more soothing spots for a mild hangover.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of mild

Adjective

Separated into two areas, the first is the mellow bar (for pre and post-spa cocktails, mocktails, and detox juices) and four quirky pink manicure pods that look like disjointed train carriages.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
Typically spotted in gardens, parks and woodlands, Turdus merula is a familiar sight across Europe, with a song that’s rich, mellow and flutelike.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of mellow

Cite this Entry

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“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of benign

adjective

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