1
: free from harm, liability, or loss
2
: lacking capacity or intent to injure : innocuous
a harmless joke
harmlessly
adverb
harmlessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of harmless in a Sentence
His ideas seem harmless enough.
We're just having a bit of harmless fun.
It was just a harmless joke.
Recent Examples on the Web
What at first was perceived as a threat suddenly transformed into a fascinating object worthy of the most thorough investigation, so harmless as to allow for tactile and olfactory inspection.
—
Susana Monsó, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
The most common kinds of cysts are epidermoid cysts, which form beneath the skin and are small, harmless bumps most commonly found on the face, neck, or trunk, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Ani Freedman, Fortune Well, 16 Oct. 2024
So the nose has developed a way to become less reactive to harmless objects.
—Stephani Sutherland, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
This mold is harmless to people but can damage plants.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harmless 
Susana Monsó, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024
The most common kinds of cysts are epidermoid cysts, which form beneath the skin and are small, harmless bumps most commonly found on the face, neck, or trunk, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Ani Freedman, Fortune Well, 16 Oct. 2024
So the nose has developed a way to become less reactive to harmless objects.
—Stephani Sutherland, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
This mold is harmless to people but can damage plants.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harmless
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'harmless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near harmless
Cite this Entry
“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmless. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
harmless
adjective
harm·less
ˈhärm-ləs 
1
: free from harm
2
: unable to harm
harmlessly
adverb
harmlessness
noun
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