Meaning 1
Unlikely to cause injury, damage, or dangerous change.
Reach for it when reassuring someone that a condition or influence is not harmful
The specialist confirmed that the small growth was benign.
Meaning 2
Gentle in manner or favorable in effect.
Reach for it when describing a mild presence, expression, climate, or influence
A benign breeze kept the courtyard comfortable through lunch.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm | ||
| professional |
| |
| formal | ||
| literary |
|
everyday
Fits when absence of injury is the whole claim
Not when medical noncancerous meaning is required
professional
Fits when a tumor diagnosis is specifically meant
Not when general safety is being assessed
formal
Fits when something has no damaging effect
Not when welcoming gentleness deserves emphasis
everyday
Fits when low intensity is being described
Not when kind intention matters more
warm
Fits when softness of manner or effect leads
Not when clinical risk is under review
professional
Fits when conditions support a good outcome
Not when a person's expression is praised
literary
Fits when a benevolent manner is visible
Not when weather or medicine is the subject
benign condition
The scan revealed a benign condition needing only observation.
benign influence
The reading circle became a benign influence on the tense dormitory.
benign expression
His benign expression helped the frightened child speak.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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