harmless

UK /ˈhɑːmləs/ US /ˈhɑɹmləs/

adj 3

Definitions

adj

Incapable of causing harm or danger; safe.

Near-synonyms: benign, innocuous, innocent, undamaging, nonthreatening, unthreatening

This snake looks nearly the same as its poisonous cousin but is harmless.

Not intended to harm; inoffensive.

His humor can be annoying but is harmless.

The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite.[…]Can those harmless but refined fellow-diners be the selfish cads whose gluttony and personal appearance so raised your contemptuous wrath on your arrival?

Unharmed.

Collocations

(adj.)

VERBS

appear, be, look, seem, sound

make sth, render sth

The treatment plant makes the toxic water harmless before releasing it into the river.

consider sth

ADV

absolutely, completely, perfectly, quite, totally

almost, virtually

enough

The old dog seemed harmless enough, though the children were still nervous about petting it.

comparatively, fairly, pretty, reasonably, relatively

apparently, seemingly

The old dog was apparently harmless, but the mailman still seemed nervous around him.

environmentally

PREP

The new cleaning product is completely harmless to children and pets.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

Antonyms

harmful

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

Near-synonyms: benign, innocuous, innocent, undamaging, nonthreatening, unthreatening

Wiktionary

This snake looks nearly the same as its poisonous cousin but is harmless.

Wiktionary

His humor can be annoying but is harmless.

Wiktionary

Liberty consists of being able to make everything as harmless as possible.

Tatoeba · #1868

There's no need to be frightened of the dog; he is quite harmless.

Tatoeba · #48211

The sound was annoying but harmless to the human body.

Tatoeba · #49441

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, harmless is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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