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Benign vs Harmless - What's the difference?

benign | harmless | Synonyms |

Harmless is a synonym of benign.



As adjectives the difference between benign and harmless

is that benign is kind; gentle; mild while harmless is incapable of causing harm or danger.

benign

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Kind; gentle; mild.
  • * (of a climate or environment) mild and favorable
  • * not harmful to the environment: [in combination] an ozone-benign refrigerant.
  • (medicine) Not posing any serious threat to health; not particularly aggressive or recurrent.

    • Antonyms

    * malign * malignant

    Derived terms

    * benignly * benignant * benignity * benign neglect * benign tumor

    harmless

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Incapable of causing harm or danger.
  • Not intended to harm; inoffensive.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)
    • , chapter=5, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite.
  • Safe.

    • Synonyms

    * benign * innocent * innocuous

    Antonyms

    * harmful

    Derived terms

    * harmlessly * harmlessness