benign
Posing no threat
Benign describes something gentle, harmless, or favorable.
A benign climate is mild and pleasant.
A benign tumor is noncancerous—it won't spread or threaten life.
A benign ruler governs with kindness rather than cruelty.
The word carries reassurance: what seems threatening turns out not to be.
The test results came back benign.
Not posing mortal threat
localized · encapsulated · slow-growing · noninvasive · tumor · neoplasm · growth · cyst
Causing no harm
- inoffensiveCausing no displeasure
- safeFree from peril
- gentleSoft and kind
- mildModerate in intensity
nonthreatening · unthreatening · innocent · unobjectionable · wholesome · anodyne · peaceable · nonviolent
Soft and kind
- temperateMild, avoiding extremes
- moderateLessen intensity or preside
- softYielding to touch
- balmyMildly warm, soothing
clement · pleasant · agreeable · comfortable · calm · soothing · mellow · fair
Naturally sympathetic and caring
- goodheartedGenuinely caring by nature
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- caringShowing kind concern
- gentleSoft and kind
tender · sympathetic · empathetic · nurturing · loving · good-natured · warmhearted · softhearted
Indicating future success
- propitiousFavorable for success
- advantageousProviding benefit or gain
- fortunateEnjoying favorable circumstances
- luckyFavored by chance
promising · encouraging · positive · good · favorable · hopeful · opportune · providential
noncancerous
Not posing mortal threat
operable · localized · encapsulated · slow-growing · noninvasive · tumor · neoplasm · growth · cyst · polyp
innocuous
Causing no harm
- inoffensiveCausing no displeasure
- safeFree from peril
- gentleSoft and kind
mild · nonthreatening · unthreatening · innocent · unobjectionable · wholesome · anodyne · peaceable · nonviolent · tame
gentle
Soft and kind
balmy · clement · pleasant · agreeable · comfortable · calm · soothing · mellow · fair · equable
kindhearted
Naturally sympathetic and caring
- goodheartedGenuinely caring by nature
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- caringShowing kind concern
gentle · tender · sympathetic · empathetic · nurturing · loving · good-natured · warmhearted · softhearted · considerate
auspicious
Indicating future success
- propitiousFavorable for success
- advantageousProviding benefit or gain
- fortunateEnjoying favorable circumstances
lucky · promising · encouraging · positive · good · favorable · hopeful · opportune · providential · felicitous
- pathologycancer, disease, infection, tumor, lesion
- medicinedoctor, doctors, hospital, medicine, surgery
- gentlegentle, mild, soft, tender, meek
- non-hazardousclean water, inert gas, table salt, non-toxic, harmless
- medical termsdiagnosis, disorder, surgery, disease, illness
- growthsgrowth, growths, tumor, tumors, tumour
benignmalignant
Harmfully invasive, often fatal
cancerous · metastatic · invasive · aggressive · terminal
benignharmful
Causing damage or injury
malign · injurious · detrimental · pernicious · deleterious
- benign tumorHarmless abnormal growth
- benign growthHarmless abnormal tissue accumulation
- benign neglectPurposeful non-intervention proving beneficial
- benign cellsNon-malignant biological units