unsafe

adjective

un·​safe ˌən-ˈsāf How to pronounce unsafe (audio)
unsafer; unsafest
: not safe: such as
a
: able or likely to cause harm, damage, or loss
water that is unsafe to drink
unsafe driving habits
unsafe levels of lead
b
: not giving protection from danger, harm, or loss
an unsafe vehicle
unsafe working conditions
c
: not protected from danger, harm, or loss
feeling frightened and unsafe
d
: likely to take risks : not careful
unsafe drivers

Examples of unsafe in a Sentence

workers are forbidden from engaging in unsafe activities on company time people who have a record of being unsafe drivers usually have to pay higher insurance premiums
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.
Nuclear warheads are especially unsafe when they are located at Russia’s rail transfer points. William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024 That means there can be unsafe products on the market from irresponsible manufacturers. Merve Ceylan, Health, 4 Nov. 2024 There are also single-use items, such as a package of plastic straws, that might be difficult to resell or medicines that could be unsafe to market again. Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024 Articles about supposedly unsafe robotaxis from journalists and bloggers seem to be a thing of the past, at least for now. Richard Bishop, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsafe 

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsafe was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near unsafe

Cite this Entry

“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsafe. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsafe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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