INNOCUOUS Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

innocuous

adjective

i-ˈnä-kyə-wəs

Definition of innocuous

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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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 innocuous Dr Hoggett’s office was in a hospital across town, a building with long corridors, low ceilings, handwashing stations and works of art that were at once innocuous and ill at ease. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026 The feeling is cheeky and curious, a soundtrack to innocuous mischief. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026 All perfectly comfortable, well-designed, if a little innocuous across the board. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026 Employees who were tasked with making the Unicorn Frappuccino in 2017, along with interested observers, took to social media at the time to air their grievances regarding the seemingly innocuous pink drink. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for innocuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocuous

Adjective

These are harmless plant relatives consisting of an algae and fungus growing together.

— Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
By contrast, another participant recalled disagreeing with a friend who believed drinking soda and eating fast food was harmless, a belief the participant considered factually wrong.

— Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of harmless

Adjective

Despite his top billing and his undeniable curmudgeon charisma, even Dern ends up underserved by a role that is eventually reduced to so much benign backdrop for a much blander hero’s journey.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
They are widely distributed, and AI science agents are now available for hire and are ready to accompany their clients on creative journeys, whether benign or malign.

— Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of benign

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innocents

innocuous

innominate

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“Innocuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocuous. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of innocuous

adjective

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