benign
Pathology. not malignant; self-limiting: a benign brain tumor.
having no harmful influence or effect: ecologically benign and sustainable building materials.
having a kindly disposition; gracious: a benign king.
showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness: a benign smile.
favorable; propitious: a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.
(of weather) pleasant or beneficial; salubrious; healthful.
Origin of benign
1Other words for benign
Opposites for benign
Other words from benign
- be·nign·ly, adverb
- su·per·be·nign, adjective
- un·be·nign, adjective
Words Nearby benign
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use benign in a sentence
It is possible that life may have gained a foothold, given the evidence that the planet once had a much more benign environment.
The Four Most Promising Worlds for Alien Life in the Solar System | Gareth Dorrian | September 24, 2020 | Singularity HubMy two personal oncology physicians were the ones who advised a conservative strategy of monitoring those nodules in my neck, which could prove to be benign.
My cancer might be back—and I wonder if unnecessary radiation caused it in the first place | jakemeth | September 22, 2020 | FortuneAs the election approaches, the building trend of employee activism against employers seems to be taking a benign turn—but don’t imagine that America’s employers and workers are now united in peace and love.
These other ingredients, which are combined with the therapeutic one, are often sourced from around the world before landing in your medicine cabinet and are not always benign.
The ‘inactive' ingredients in your pills could harm you | By Yelena Ionova/The Conversation | September 15, 2020 | Popular-ScienceSometimes doctors inject patients with benign chemicals that enhance the contrast visible in the image.
Facebook and NYU researchers discover a way to speed up MRI scans | Jeremy Kahn | August 18, 2020 | Fortune
I always saw the horrific side of this seemingly benign environment.
Tim Burton Talks ‘Big Eyes,’ His Taste For the Macabre, and the ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel | Marlow Stern | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTUnstoppable or not, John H has seen little in his 38 years to persuade him progress is benign.
The Golden West Up for Grabs: ‘Painted Horses’ Is the Next Great Western Novel | Wendy Smith | November 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt is not some benign magical sleep as shown on TV, where people wake up a year later and are instantly back to normal.
Understanding Tracy Morgan’s Traumatic Brain Injury | Jean Kim | November 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEric lobbies for an industry of benign usefulness, non-partisan in nature, and over which no cloud of serious controversy looms.
To use a relatively benign example, they are to the Pentagon what Silicon Valley startups were to Eastman Kodak.
Why ISIS Keeps Running Circles Around Us, Just Like Al Qaeda Did Before 9/11 | Christopher Dickey | September 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTbenign respdit pater ipse Membertou neophytos se esse, verum imperarem; in mea potestate esse omnia.
Ab eo igitur tpore Patres nostros perhumaniter habuit, atque honorific in omnibus, mensque benign accepit.
He surveyed the crowd in the court-room with calm indifference, and seldom glanced at the gray-bearded, benign-looking judge.
Mystery Ranch | Arthur Chapman"No passion, Colombaik," put in the benign Joan, again interrupting the impetuous young man.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman | Eugne SueHe looked very benign as he quoted these verses in the pulpit on Sunday morning, with a half smile, as of pleased meditation.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete | Gilbert Parker
British Dictionary definitions for benign
/ (bɪˈnaɪn) /
showing kindliness; genial
(of soil, climate, etc) mild; gentle
favourable; propitious
pathol (of a tumour, etc) not threatening to life or health; not malignant
Origin of benign
1Derived forms of benign
- benignly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for benign
[ bĭ-nīn′ ]
Not life-threatening or severe, and likely to respond to treatment, as a tumor that is not malignant. Compare malignant.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for benign
[ (bi-neyen) ]
A descriptive term for conditions that present no danger to life or well-being. Benign is the opposite of malignant.
Notes for benign
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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