benign

Group 2Difficulty 1/3

Definitions

(adjective)
Gentle and kindly; not harmful
GRE
(adjective)
(of a tumor) Not malignant

Example in Context

What initially appeared to be a benign policy shift turned out to have far-reaching consequences for small businesses.

Synonyms

harmlessgentlemild

Etymology

Literally means 'well-born,' suggesting something gentle and kind.

  • bene (Latin) — well
  • gnus (Latin) — born

Memory Aid

😊Sounds like “be nice”

Imagine a giant fluffy teddy bear saying, 'Just BE NICE!' — it's so BENIGN!

Visual Association

🌼A kind old lady gently petting a small kitten in a sunlit garden.

Semantic Clusters

🎁 Generosity & Giving

Synonym Groups

⚖️ Generosity Level⚖️ Harm vs Help Spectrum⚖️ Harshness vs Gentleness

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “benign” mean on the GRE?

benign (adjective) means “Gentle and kindly; not harmful”. What initially appeared to be a benign policy shift turned out to have far-reaching consequences for small businesses.

How to remember “benign” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “benign” sounds like “be nice”. Imagine a giant fluffy teddy bear saying, 'Just BE NICE!' — it's so BENIGN!

What are synonyms for “benign”?

Common synonyms: harmless, gentle, mild.