1
: free from harm, liability, or loss
2
: lacking capacity or intent to injure : innocuous
a harmless joke
harmlessly
adverb
harmlessness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of harmless in a Sentence
His ideas seem harmless enough.
We're just having a bit of harmless fun.
It was just a harmless joke.
Recent Examples on the Web
Though most forms of E. coli are harmless, some strains can make humans sick.
—
Korin Miller, Health, 1 Aug. 2024
Most importantly, have fun and be silly: Leprechauns are supposed to cause harmless trouble, so the funnier the better!
—Amanda Rock, Parents, 30 July 2024
Also, deals would have to end when students graduate from high school and would have to hold harmless schools, school districts and the athletic association from liability.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2024
But Brandon was significantly less dynamic, a cookie-cutter nice boy with harmless good looks.
—Lynn Steger Strong, The Atlantic, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for harmless 
Korin Miller, Health, 1 Aug. 2024
Most importantly, have fun and be silly: Leprechauns are supposed to cause harmless trouble, so the funnier the better!
—Amanda Rock, Parents, 30 July 2024
Also, deals would have to end when students graduate from high school and would have to hold harmless schools, school districts and the athletic association from liability.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2024
But Brandon was significantly less dynamic, a cookie-cutter nice boy with harmless good looks.
—Lynn Steger Strong, The Atlantic, 22 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for harmless
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'harmless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near harmless
Cite this Entry
“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmless. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
harmless
adjective
harm·less
ˈhärm-ləs 
1
: free from harm
2
: unable to harm
harmlessly
adverb
harmlessness
noun
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