dangerous

adjective

dan·​ger·​ous ˈdān-jə-rəs How to pronounce dangerous (audio)
ˈdān-jərs, 
-zhrəs
Synonyms of dangerous
1
: involving possible injury, pain, harm, or loss : characterized by danger
a dangerous job
2
: able or likely to inflict injury or harm
a dangerous man
dangerously adverb
dangerousness noun

Synonyms of dangerous

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dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury.

dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples of dangerous in a Sentence

She got into a car accident while driving through a dangerous intersection. He often drives at dangerous speeds. The city can be a dangerous place to live. The storms may cause dangerous flooding. He is wanted for assault with a dangerous weapon. the most dangerous of drugs
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet now, after brief outbreaks in Texas during the 1970s and the Florida Keys in 2016, the dangerous parasite has returned. — Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, the same academia that once deemed Wikipedia dangerous is throwing open its doors to artificial intelligence. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026 Scientists warn that every fraction of a degree brings greater risks, while steep global emissions cuts are needed to avoid more dangerous and costly climate impacts. — Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Northeast wind gusts of up to 40 mph and seas reaching 7-12 feet could also produce dangerous marine conditions and additional beach erosion into Thursday. — Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dangerous

Word History

Etymology

see danger entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dangerous was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing dangerous

Browse Nearby Words

danger money
dangerous
dangerous ground/territory
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dangerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dangerous. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dangerous

adjective
dan·​ger·​ous ˈdānj-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce dangerous (audio)
1
: exposing to or involving danger
a dangerous mission
2
: able or likely to cause injury
dangerous weapons
dangerously adverb
dangerousness noun

Legal Definition

dangerous

adjective
dan·​ger·​ous
1
: creating a risk of bodily injury
a dangerous condition of a public building
2
: able or likely to inflict especially serious bodily injury
a dangerous criminal with no regard for human life
a dangerous animal
also : deadly
3
: likely to engage in repeated criminal activity
a dangerous offender

Note: The activity that an offender is likely to engage in need not involve violence in order for the offender to be deemed dangerous.

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