UNSAFE Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

unsafe

adjective

ˌən-ˈsāf

Definition of unsafe

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury workers are forbidden from engaging in unsafe activities on company time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in careless

not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble people who have a record of being unsafe drivers usually have to pay higher insurance premiums

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of unsafe Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also sued OpenAI in June, alleging the company knowingly released an unsafe product that could harm users. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 Batie-Smoose describes feeling physically unsafe during the encounter. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 More than half a dozen houses along the coast were declared structurally unsafe. — Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026 Red indicates an address is unsafe to enter, while yellow restricts use. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsafe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsafe

Adjective

Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
Fresh to strong winds will produce dangerous boating conditions, high surf, life-threatening rip currents, and moderate beach erosion through at least the first half of the coming week, forecasters said.

— Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Josh Hoover may have been a bit careless, but every game TCU has played this season is another painful example how badly both his old school, and coach, miss him.

— Mac Engel October 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Red Raiders quarterback Will Hammond can be careless with the football, throwing three interceptions against Sam Houston last weekend and posting five picks in four games.

— Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of careless

Adjective

Ultimately, the greatest impacts will be determined by the storm's track, but periods of heavy rain and wind, along coastal flooding, beach erosion, and hazardous surf are a concern, especially for the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Preliminary tests indicate the substance is not hazardous; the letters prompted evacuations and police responses, with no injuries reported in the California incidents described.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

Van Lemaster, 88, was booked into the Larimer County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and reckless endangerment on Friday.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
In 2016, Zelich pled guilty to first-degree reckless homicide in the death of Gamez and one count of hiding a corpse.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of reckless

Adjective

The fact fraternity alumni donate more makes getting rid of fraternities financially risky for schools.

— Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Representatives Lori Trahan and Jay Obernolte have advanced the FRONTIER Act, which would authorize government intervention against risky models and override some state laws.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of risky

Adjective

Christopher Nolan’s recent film reminded me of another time when the world was awash in ambiguity and leaders needed to navigate the perilous voyage across unfamiliar territory.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Two Utah residents who hiked Mount Shasta in Northern California were rescued after they became stranded during a perilous 36-hour journey through freezing conditions.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of perilous

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unrushed

unsafe

unsaid

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“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsafe. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unsafe

adjective

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