innocuous
Harmless, inoffensive, or not likely to cause any adverse effects
Examples
In a meeting
“What seemed like an innocuous comment actually triggered significant pushback.”
Over coffee
“It was just an innocuous joke—I can't believe people got upset.”
Why this word
harmless
innocuous emphasizes the absence of objectionable qualities, not just physical harm
safe
safe focuses on lack of danger, while innocuous suggests something is also inoffensive or unremarkable
mild
mild describes degree of intensity, innocuous specifically means causing no injury or offense
Usage tip
Use when something appears harmless on the surface. Often used when something initially seems innocuous but later proves otherwise.
Etymology
Latin 'innocuus' (in- 'not' + nocuus 'harmful', from nocere 'to harm')
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Related words
detrimental
Causing harm or damage
repercussion
An unintended consequence of an event or action
mitigate
To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
substantiate
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of a claim.
alleviate
To make suffering, a problem, or a burden less severe.
circumvent
To find a way around an obstacle or restriction.