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

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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 According to the company, the MH3 has been designed to perform work that is unsafe, repetitive, or physically exhausting for human workers. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 Road accidents are common in Pakistan because of poor road conditions, inadequate enforcement of traffic laws and unsafe driving practices, particularly in mountainous areas. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 As repair and evaluation work continues following major breaks in the Haverhill sewer line over a week ago, a nonprofit’s testing is still showing unsafe levels of fecal bacteria downstream in the Merrimack River. — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026 The complaint, obtained by PEOPLE, claims the Tesla — equipped with Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features — was defective and unsafe for normal use when it was sold. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 3 July 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
  • Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • The Most The business owners who get burned in an exit are almost never careless.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Still, multitasking can lead to careless errors, irritability or burnout, so take it easy.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Definition of careless
Adjective
  • Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • Response efforts were slowed as debris blocked roads and live wires created hazardous conditions.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • The suspect, 30‑year‑old Trevion Mark of Fort Worth, was arrested nearby without incident and charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle, according to DPS.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Mark was charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle and booked into the Tarrant County Jail.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of reckless
Adjective
  • Achraf Hakimi looked to have another opportunity to take an open shot on goal in the 54th minute, until Dutch defender Micky van de Ven chased him down and made a risky tackle in the goal box.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • The groups that brought the lawsuit said the rule would require students to forgo their studies or take out riskier private loans.
    — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of risky
Adjective
  • Thrown into the perilous odyssey of the quest for Europe, Gift recounts the memories that led to her departure.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 June 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on unsafe

Nglish: Translation of unsafe for Spanish Speakers

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