Benign and Cantankerous

Opposite meaning words

Benign adjective - Not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt.

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Cantankerous is an antonym for benign.

Nearby Words: benignant, benignly, benignity

Cantankerous adjective - Having or showing a habitually bad temper.

Usage example: a cantankerous old woman who insisted that nothing should ever be allowed to change

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Benign is an antonym for cantankerous.

Cite this Source

Cantankerous and Benign. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/benign/cantankerous

Benign & Cantankerous. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/benign/cantankerous>.

Cantankerous or Benign. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/benign/cantankerous.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "benign" and "cantankerous" have occurred on timeline