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

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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 The health department has identified seven schools with unsafe lead levels. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025 Evacuations are still ongoing in the capital city to remove people from unsafe structures, and Bangkok residents are being urged to avoid all high-rise buildings in the city. — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025 But Hoelscher doesn’t necessarily think East High is unsafe. — Melanie Asmar, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2025 In general, gastrointestinal illnesses among tourists — travelers’ diarrhea and food poisoning — is especially likely to occur in countries where the water supply is unsafe. — Perri Klass, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 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
  • Many of the surf zone fatalities occur when distant hurricanes send swells to shore that create dangerous conditions at the coast, such as strong surf and rip currents, the hurricane center stated.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
  • As the medical profession came to consider cocaine and morphine as equally dangerous, coca became associated with opium, and the public was led to believe that the ruinous effects of habitual opium use would inevitably befall those who regularly chewed coca leaves.
    — Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • She was cited with careless driving, the sheriff’s office said.
    — Mark Price, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Following the accident, the driver, a 61-year-old woman, was cited with careless driving and cooperated with investigators at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.
    — Sam Gillette, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of careless
Adjective
  • More snow is on the way and will create hazardous travel conditions, forecasters said.
    — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 1 Apr. 2025
  • This may result in slick and hazardous driving conditions.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • Now, as his reckless tariffs rattle markets and the stock market tumbles, the real cost of his policies is coming into view.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • This reckless governance has fueled a housing affordability crisis.
    — Chris Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • According to Lowe, we’re all regularly exposed to microplastics daily—and other products are likely far riskier than a stick of gum.
    — Julia Ries, Health, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Approaching the station was deemed too risky for Wilmore and Williams, aboard Starliner, as well as for the astronauts on the $100 billion space station.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of risky
Adjective
  • With rising gasoline prices also fueling uncertainty, staying close to home and enjoying what Lake County has to offer in fun times is making sense in these perilous times.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
  • This project documents the perilous journeys of migrants traversing the Darién Gap, a 100-kilometer long stretch of dense jungle connecting Colombia and Panama.
    — Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
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 14 Apr. 2025.

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