benign

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "benign" is correct and very commonly used in written English.
It is an adjective meaning "kind and gentle; not harmful or threatening." Example sentence: The benign Cancer Research Centre worked tirelessly to find a cure for the deadly disease.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, the response of the majority of the Irish public, whose attitude veers from a warm welcome to benign indifference, also underlines how isolated the republican dissidents are in modern Ireland.

The Guardian

The next ones were less benign, driving through a rainstorm on the M11 in a deliberate, and not entirely unsuccessful, attempt to scare me.

The Guardian - Opinion

Similar protests on the mainland would be unthinkable – even organisers of seemingly benign demonstrations are subject to extreme intimidation, even prosecution.

The Guardian

I used to think any indifference was benign.

The Guardian

To insist that all this be done within a year, entailing huge savings and cuts that will make a relatively benign situation worse, represents a triumph of dogma over pragmatism.

The Guardian

Indeed, the subsequent "bounce back" in the pound, while ominous, makes the inflation picture even more benign and alleviates the pressure on living standards in the runup to the election.

The Guardian - Business

Long after phrenology was widely discredited, Aboriginal skulls were still sought and displayed with the same benign sentiment that one might attach to animal remains.

The Guardian

Messenger, in her book, claims that "often today, we are being bombarded with messages from vested interests to fear all diseases in order for someone to sell some potion or vaccine, when, in fact, history shows that in industrialised countries, these diseases are quite benign and, according to natural health sources, beneficial to the body".

The Guardian - Books

In those benign circumstances, the Fine Gael-Labour administration could benefit from the country's recovery.

The Guardian

We no more believe that the state is always benign than we believe in the extinction, or even the regulation, of a majority of markets.

The Guardian - Opinion

That year, more drama erupted: Newman discovered he had a tumour, thankfully benign, on his brain.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "benign" to describe situations, conditions, or behaviors that are not harmful or threatening. For example, describe a "benign" economic climate that is unlikely to cause financial hardship.

Common error

Avoid using "benign" when you mean "benignant". "Benign" describes something harmless or mild, whereas "benignant" describes someone who is kindly and well-meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "benign" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their qualities, specifically indicating that they are harmless, gentle, or favorable. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage, confirming its role as a descriptive adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "benign" is a versatile adjective used to describe something as harmless, gentle, or favorable. As confirmed by Ludwig, it follows standard grammatical rules and appears very commonly across various contexts including news, business, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "harmless" or "mild" exist, "benign" carries a specific nuance that is both reassuring and indicative of a positive condition. It is crucial not to confuse "benign" with "benignant", the latter describing someone kindly. From tumors to economic climates, understanding the appropriate usage of "benign" is essential for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmless

Focuses specifically on the lack of potential harm.

mild

Emphasizes a gentle or moderate quality.

gentle

Highlights a kind and considerate nature.

favorable

Indicates a positive or advantageous outcome.

innocuous

Stresses the absence of any offensive or dangerous qualities.

non-malignant

Specifically used in medical contexts to indicate a non-cancerous condition.

kindly

Focuses on the benevolent nature or disposition.

favourably

Stresses a positive reception or outcome, changing the word from adjective to adverb.

propitious

Suggests circumstances are particularly well-suited or advantageous.

salubrious

Highlights health-giving or beneficial qualities.

FAQs

How to use "benign" in a sentence?

You can use "benign" to describe something that is gentle, mild, or harmless. For example, "The doctor assured him that the tumor was "benign" and not a cause for concern."

What can I say instead of "benign"?

You can use alternatives like "harmless", "mild", or "gentle" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "benign" or "benignant"?

"Benign" describes something harmless or mild, while "benignant" describes someone who is kindly. Choose the word that fits the intended meaning of your sentence.

What's the difference between "benign" and "innocuous"?

Both words suggest a lack of harm, but ""benign"" often implies a gentleness or mildness that "innocuous" doesn't necessarily convey. "Innocuous" simply means not harmful or offensive.