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 Most of them are fairly innocuous, such as controlling dark mode. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026 The report’s conclusion speculates that keeping things private, even innocuous ones, signals secretiveness. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026 These were pretty innocuous in the grand scheme of things, but were hanging as a PR headache for Ferrari heading to its home race. — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Specs AccordionItemContainerButton Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton Downsides Scandinavian simplicity transforms this innocuous open shoe rack into something more. — Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for innocuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for innocuous

Adjective

What began years ago as a war for influence in Yemen between Iran and Saudi Arabia has now escalated to a challenge to maritime law rooted in guarantees for harmless passage of commercial ships.

— the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026
An avid runner and golfer fit and trim enough to pass for a man a decade younger, the silver-haired Claire was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in 2015 when what looked like a harmless spot on his lip turned out to be cancerous.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of harmless

Adjective

Then, findings are scored from 1 to 5 — 1 means a result is benign or normal, while 5 means something is emergent or critical.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 Sep. 2026
And while Gen Z is bringing new expectations to the workplace, this benign habit could potentially impact their odds of landing a job.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of benign

Adjective

Since then, Verity had been faking her vegetative state in order to … that part doesn’t entirely make sense, but the point is Lowen and Jeremy killed an innocent woman.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
The suspects are innocent unless proven guilty by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of innocent

Browse Nearby Words

innocents

innocuous

innominate

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“Innocuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/innocuous. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of innocuous

adjective

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