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View synonyms for benign

benign

[ bih-nahyn ]

adjective

  1. Pathology. not malignant; self-limiting:

    a benign brain tumor.

  2. having no harmful influence or effect:

    ecologically benign and sustainable building materials.

  3. having a kindly disposition; gracious:

    a benign king.

    Synonyms: compassionate, gentle, humane, tender, benevolent, benignant, kindly, good

  4. showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness:

    a benign smile.

  5. a series of benign omens and configurations in the heavens.

    Antonyms: sinister

  6. (of weather) pleasant or beneficial; salubrious; healthful.


benign

/ bɪˈnaɪn /

adjective

  1. showing kindliness; genial
  2. (of soil, climate, etc) mild; gentle
  3. favourable; propitious
  4. pathol (of a tumour, etc) not threatening to life or health; not malignant


benign

/ bĭ-nīn /

  1. Not life-threatening or severe, and likely to respond to treatment, as a tumor that is not malignant.
  2. Compare malignant


benign

  1. A descriptive term for conditions that present no danger to life or well-being. Benign is the opposite of malignant .


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Notes

The term benign is used when describing tumors or growths that do not threaten the health of an individual.

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Derived Forms

  • beˈnignly, adverb

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Other Words From

  • be·nign·ly adverb
  • su·per·be·nign adjective
  • un·be·nign adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of benign1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English benigne, from Anglo-French, Old French benigne (feminine), benin (masculine), from Latin benignus “kind, generous,” equivalent to beni-, combining form of bonus “good” ( bene- ) + -gnus, derivative of the base of gignere “to beget” ( genitor, genus ), hence, perhaps, “good by nature”; malign

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Word History and Origins

Origin of benign1

C14: from Old French benigne , from Latin benignus , from bene well + gignere to produce

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Example Sentences

I always saw the horrific side of this seemingly benign environment.

Unstoppable or not, John H has seen little in his 38 years to persuade him progress is benign.

It is not some benign magical sleep as shown on TV, where people wake up a year later and are instantly back to normal.

Eric 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.

Benign 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.

"No passion, Colombaik," put in the benign Joan, again interrupting the impetuous young man.

He looked very benign as he quoted these verses in the pulpit on Sunday morning, with a half smile, as of pleased meditation.

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benightedbenignant