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
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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
as in kindness
sympathetic concern for the well-being of others
a doctor who extends to all of her patients, both rich and poor, the same measure of gentle benignity
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of benign
Time, 30 Oct. 2025
According to a 2015 Time Magazine story, the tradition of benign pranks began sometime in the 1930s and 1940s in the United States, brought on perhaps as a way to defuse the tensions of economic devastation and the pain of war.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Canada’s alliance with a relatively benign Washington always entailed some risk.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
But Olympia is actually the more menacing work, precisely because it’s considered more benign and laudable.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benign
Adjective
But what had once been raucous and raunchy mischief, was now benign horseplay.
—Time, 30 Oct. 2025
According to a 2015 Time Magazine story, the tradition of benign pranks began sometime in the 1930s and 1940s in the United States, brought on perhaps as a way to defuse the tensions of economic devastation and the pain of war.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Canada’s alliance with a relatively benign Washington always entailed some risk.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
But Olympia is actually the more menacing work, precisely because it’s considered more benign and laudable.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for benign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benign
Adjective
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Here are five times what seemed like a harmless toy turned into a puzzling moment online.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
This is usually harmless and goes away when intake is reduced.—
Barbie Cervoni,
Verywell Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This can support the aircraft’s weight, allowing a gentle descent with the wings level.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
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And so, shortly after his startling, spirit-lifting victory in the primary last spring, the gentle flood of inquiries commenced.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Squid Game is an elimination game, but there are these moments of deep altruism and kindness even amongst it.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Nov. 2025
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The space is charming, and the entire team radiates warmth and kindness.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Having no cool aunt of my own and no elder sisters, just teenage babysitters and camp counselors (each with their own unique but tenuous grasp on anatomy and reproductive science), the book felt warm, inviting, and—perhaps most important to my terrified, bleeding, self—safe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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The two men exchange grateful texts later that evening, home safe and stumped about where to go next.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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For an accent, consider introducing a deep blue shade to provide a soothing contrast.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
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The soothing, antioxidant-rich formula offers enough coverage that it can be used in lieu of a tinted moisturizer or lightweight foundation.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What surprised me most about her — or what was revealed in me through her — was tenderness.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
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Flaky buttermilk biscuits meet the sweet tenderness of cornbread in this bake.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Another noteworthy development is Arts Landing, a four-acre city park in Downtown Pittsburgh featuring public art, greenery and performance space set to soft open in April 2026.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
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For the white colorway, a contrasting gum sole with a soft suede toe highlights the sneaker, while the black version features a brown distressed tooling.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Worse, five sisters have tried to save its life, defying both the mysterious beneficence that brought the fish to shore and local norms dictating that it must be killed for food.—
Talya Zax,
The Atlantic,
10 Aug. 2025
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But their beneficence has spoken volumes about their values.—
Julie Belcove,
Robb Report,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.
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