Definitions and Examples of harmless, benign, safe
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Not likely to cause harm or injury; not dangerous.
Example
The spider in the corner was harmless and posed no threat to anyone.
Not harmful or malignant; gentle or kindly.
Example
The tumor turned out to be benign, which was a huge relief for the patient and their family.
Free from danger or harm; not likely to cause injury or damage.
Example
The amusement park ride was thoroughly inspected to ensure it was safe for riders.
Key Differences: harmless vs benign vs safe
- 1Harmless describes something that is not likely to cause harm or injury.
- 2Benign describes something that is not harmful or malignant, often used in medical contexts.
- 3Safe describes something that is free from danger or harm, not likely to cause injury or damage.
Effective Usage of harmless, benign, safe
- 1Discussing Safety: Use harmless, benign, and safe to describe things that are not dangerous or harmful.
- 2Medical Contexts: Use benign to describe non-cancerous tumors or growths.
- 3Product Descriptions: Use safe to describe products that are free from danger or harm.
Remember this!
The antonyms have distinct nuances: Harmless describes something that is not likely to cause harm or injury, benign describes something that is not harmful or malignant, and safe describes something that is free from danger or harm. Use these words when discussing safety, in medical contexts, or when describing products that are free from danger or harm.
