unsafe

adjective

ˌən-ˈsāf How to pronounce unsafe (audio)
Definition of unsafenext
1
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury workers are forbidden from engaging in unsafe activities on company time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 Produce can still potentially be unsafe without obvious signs of spoilage. — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 27 Aug. 2026 Hotel officials repeatedly warned us not to leave because the streets were unsafe. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 As thousands of immigration court cases are shifted to Concord following the closure of the San Francisco office, speakers warned ICE’s presence may also be larger in the area, creating an unsafe environment for at-risk populations. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 They aren’t regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a federal agency that protects the public from dangerous products, and they can’t be recalled the way unsafe toys or cars can be. — Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsafe
  1. dangerous
  2. careless
  3. hazardous
  4. reckless
  5. risky
  6. perilous
Adjective
  • Heaping credit onto Espada is dangerous, but so is blaming him for every game that goes awry.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • That’s a dangerous prospect for any country, but especially for Singapore, crammed into a space smaller than New York City.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution amended the first charge to reckless driving, second offense, and the second charge to a careless driving citation.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Steele accepted the reduced charge, along with a separate careless-driving citation, and suspended the athlete’s driver’s license for five years.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of careless
Adjective
  • The park said more flash floods and hazardous conditions were possible over the next two days, amid potential thunderstorms and downpours.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the entire Thumb region.
    — Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • Pearson faces charges of second-degree death by vessel, operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation, operating without a safety certificate and failure to keep a proper lookout.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The other two teens were charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • At the same time — despite Tuesday’s move — investor appetite for riskier assets like stocks continues to climb.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Knowing a bailout is coming, however, may inadvertently encourage farmers to sustain their dependence on the risky Chinese export market.
    — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of risky
Adjective
  • Scientists previously created tiny diving suits for Madagascar hissing cockroaches that could be used in perilous search operations, according to a study published in the journal Nature Communications.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Congress has eliminated the threat of a politically perilous government shutdown this fall.
    — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of perilous

Browse Nearby Words

unrushed
unsafe
unsaid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsafe. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All