as in healthy
not likely to cause someone to be afraid or worried; not threatening
It's best to approach the dog in a calm, nonthreatening way.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 nonthreatening
The whole production is tidy, predictable, nonthreatening, and occasionally entertaining.
—
Michael J. Socolow, Quartz, 19 Dec. 2019
The whole production is tidy, predictable, nonthreatening and occasionally entertaining.
—Michael J. Socolow, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2019
His quirky behavior renders him nonthreatening during investigations.
—Katie Walsh, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2019
Teachers are trained how to stand in a nonthreatening way.
—Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 19 Nov. 2019
See all Example Sentences for nonthreatening 
Michael J. Socolow, Quartz, 19 Dec. 2019
The whole production is tidy, predictable, nonthreatening and occasionally entertaining.
—Michael J. Socolow, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2019
His quirky behavior renders him nonthreatening during investigations.
—Katie Walsh, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2019
Teachers are trained how to stand in a nonthreatening way.
—Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 19 Nov. 2019
See all Example Sentences for nonthreatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonthreatening
Adjective
-
However, activists concerned with animal rights, the environment, the rights of farmers, and human health are already working to ease the distortions of the subsidy system and align government subsidies with recommendations as to what constitutes a healthy, sustainable diet.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
This balance not only sustains long-term motivation but also enhances focus, creativity and overall well-being, promoting a healthier approach to success.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
14 Feb. 2025
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
-
While click baiting may be harmless, producing hate and discontent for personal financial gain is despicable.—
Rochelle Eastman,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The interrogation—albeit benign—at secondary inspection signaled the beginning.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Pollard revealed that the seemingly benign legislation benefited Goggin’s longtime friend and sometime business partner, Dennis Krieger, who was underwriting a stock sale for a company that made the only devices Goggin’s legislation would finance.—
Dan Walters,
Orange County Register,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Many orders can be unobjectionable, such as giving federal employees the day after Christmas off.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Those changes are unobjectionable and do not do much of anything to violate the historical fabric.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
What to do instead: Make the task itself more pleasant or at least inoffensive.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Review: As Golden Globes host, Nikki Glaser delivered a good time at Hollywood’s party night: Despite a long ceremony chock full of awards, emcee Nikki Glaser kept the show moving along with lightly cutting and relatively inoffensive jokes.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Peyton Watson is out for a month after what at first blush appeared to be an innocuous injury.—
AAron Ontiveroz,
The Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Though Direct File sounds innocuous enough, the program has seeded controversy.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The bottom line: If this is what disruption looks like, the AI revolution is going to be remarkably painless.—
Felix Salmon,
Axios,
31 Jan. 2025
-
This area might be painless or have aching pain or discomfort, particularly when bending, lifting, or coughing.6 Some people think that women can't get groin hernias, but that isn't true.—
Ruth Jessen Hickman,
Health,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Air travel is the absolute safest form of transportation, according to a 2024 Transportation Statistics Report from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Still, some people with power but damaged equipment might not have safe access to heat, Beshear said Tuesday.—
Hanna Park, Robert Shackelford and Mary Gilbert,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near nonthreatening
Cite this Entry
“Nonthreatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonthreatening. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share