# harmlessly

**Pronunciation:** /ˈhɑːrmləsli/ · HAHRM-lis-lee

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** adverb

## Meaning

In a way that causes no physical or emotional injury, damage, or offense.

## Examples

- The snake, though startling, coiled harmlessly in the corner of the garden.
- She laughed harmlessly at his silly joke, not intending to mock him.
- The old dog barked loudly but wagged its tail harmlessly, just wanting attention.

## Synonyms

- innocuously — Suggests a lack of harmful intent or effect, often in a subtle way.
- safely — Emphasizes the absence of danger or risk.
- benignly — Implies a gentle, kind, or non-threatening quality.
- inoffensively — Focuses on not causing offense or annoyance.

## Antonyms

- harmfully — Causing damage or injury.
- dangerously — In a way that involves risk or peril.
- maliciously — With intent to cause harm or suffering.

## Collocations

- harmlessly coiled — The garden hose lay harmlessly coiled on the patio.
- harmlessly amused — The children were harmlessly amused by the clown's antics.

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