Definitions and Examples of harmless, benign, nonfatal
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Not likely to cause injury, damage, or death.
Example
The spider in the corner was harmless and posed no threat to anyone.
Not harmful or malignant; gentle or kind.
Example
The doctor assured her that the tumor was benign and could be easily removed.
Not resulting in death.
Example
The car accident was serious, but thankfully nonfatal.
Key Differences: harmless vs benign vs nonfatal
- 1Harmless describes something that is not likely to cause any harm or danger.
- 2Benign describes something that is not harmful or malignant, often used in medical contexts.
- 3Nonfatal describes something that does not result in death, often used in accidents or disasters.
Effective Usage of harmless, benign, nonfatal
- 1Medical Context: Use benign to describe non-cancerous tumors or growths.
- 2Safety Instructions: Use harmless to indicate that something is safe to handle or use.
- 3Emergency Situations: Use nonfatal to describe accidents or disasters where there were no deaths.
Remember this!
The antonyms have distinct nuances: Harmless conveys a lack of danger, benign describes something that is not harmful or malignant, and nonfatal refers to accidents or disasters where there were no deaths. Use these words in medical contexts, safety instructions, and emergency situations to communicate effectively.