Which word best describes something harmless?

• A. insipid
• B. intransigent
• C. implacable
• D. innocuous

Answer: (D)

Harmlessness is what this term is testing. innocuous directly means not harmful or offensive—safe and unobjectionable, with little to no potential to cause damage or upset. That precise sense makes it the best fit for “something harmless.” The other words describe something quite different: insipid means dull or bland, not about safety; intransigent denotes stubborn, uncompromising behavior; implacable means relentless or unable to be appeased. So innocuous is the clear match for harmless.