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
The innocuous question kick-started a new type of road trip for McCarthy, who drove across the country for six weeks on a whim to reconnect with old friends.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Even their most innocuous comments were made off the record, though some of the same attendees who’d refused to be formally interviewed did later request to follow me on Instagram.
—Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
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, 13 Mar. 2026
But since then, other, more innocuous defeats — and even some in-match situations that are close to neutral — have left her hitting her racket against her legs or in tears mid-point.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocuous
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
Even their most innocuous comments were made off the record, though some of the same attendees who’d refused to be formally interviewed did later request to follow me on Instagram.
—Gaby Del Valle, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
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, 13 Mar. 2026
But since then, other, more innocuous defeats — and even some in-match situations that are close to neutral — have left her hitting her racket against her legs or in tears mid-point.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocuous
Adjective
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For now, the evidence shows that kratom is an opioid with real risks – not a harmless supplement.—
Andrew Kolodny,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
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Across social media, videos show pups reacting to everything from fake treats and disappearing acts to harmless tricks like surprising them on walks outside, leaving them confused, curious and hilariously offended.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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No faction is more divided than the British, however, with benign diplomat Thomas Hopkins (Billy Howle) at odds with the almost feral Army captain Orde Wingate (Aramayo), reputed father of the modern IDF.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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Some of the essays are benign and well-documented; tales of her own neuroses, and her obsessions with the health of her father, Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm creator Larry David.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Six innocent people, including an unborn baby, died in three separate pursuits throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties this week.—
Tom Wait,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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An error in a legal brief could lead to an innocent person’s incarceration.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Innocuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocuous. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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