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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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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Examples of benign in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This weekend's sonar-like noises most likely have a benign cause, and Wilmore certainly did not sound frazzled.
—
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 1 Sep. 2024
Something as seemingly benign as a car’s tailpipe can be the culprit.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 9 Aug. 2024
These range from more benign causes, such as gingivitis or canker sores, to more serious conditions, like oral cancer.1
White gums can be common, as about one in four people experience canker sores, while gingivitis affects 20-50% of the global population.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 Aug. 2024
By a different measure, inflation looks more benign.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for benign 
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 1 Sep. 2024
Something as seemingly benign as a car’s tailpipe can be the culprit.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 9 Aug. 2024
These range from more benign causes, such as gingivitis or canker sores, to more serious conditions, like oral cancer.1
White gums can be common, as about one in four people experience canker sores, while gingivitis affects 20-50% of the global population.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 Aug. 2024
By a different measure, inflation looks more benign.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for benign
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'benign.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Benign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benign. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.
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