hazardous

adjective

haz·ard·ous | \ ˈha-zər-dəs

Definition of hazardous

1 : involving or exposing one to risk (as of loss or harm) a hazardous occupation disposing of hazardous waste

2 : depending on the effect of unpredictable and unanalyzable forces in determining events : depending on hazard (see hazard entry 1 sense 2a) or chance hazardous outcomes

Other Words from hazardous Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about hazardous

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Choose the Right Synonym for hazardous

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury. dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully. soldiers on a dangerous mission hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure. claims that smoking is hazardous to your health precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty. earned a precarious living by gambling perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger. perilous mountain roads risky often applies to a known and accepted danger. shied away from risky investments

Examples of hazardous in a Sentence

It was a hazardous voyage. These are hazardous chemicals that can cause death if inhaled.

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to hazardous chemicals that are released when structures ignite, wildfire smoke commonly contains toxic ingredients. — Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, "Wildfire Smoke Is Here to Stay," 5 June 2019 The mechanism is designed to measure potentially hazardous radiation is intended to go through pipes at a former uranium plant being cleaned up in southern Ohio. — Washington Post, "Robot designed for faster, safer uranium plant pipe cleanup," 21 Apr. 2018 These short-lived careers make for a hazardous work environment, as do the countless outside factors: on-the-job harassment, eating disorders, and financial mismanagement among them. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Kering Commits to Using Models Over 18: Will the Rest of the Fashion World Follow Suit?," 15 May 2019 The robots accomplish the job without endangering humans in the potentially hazardous process. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Army Is Using Robots to Dismantle Hazardous Rockets," 26 Feb. 2019 Nayeb worked in the vehicle yard, disposing of motor oil and other potentially hazardous automotive materials. — Russ Bynum, The Seattle Times, "US soldier wounded in suicide attack sues bomber’s employer," 20 Feb. 2019 In the case of the device sent to CNN, the NYPD and the FBI must work around potentially hazardous white powder that was also in the package. — Zolan Kanno-youngs, WSJ, "NYPD’s ‘Total Containment Vessel’ Takes CNN Bomb Away," 24 Oct. 2018 More than a dozen such Superfund sites in and around Houston flooded last year in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, with spills of potentially hazardous materials reported at two. — Michael Biesecker, Fox News, "Hurricane could flood many waste sites, creating toxic brew," 12 Sep. 2018 However, all tenants evacuated the complex in October 2016 because of the discovery of potentially hazardous fumes still lingering in the air. — Detroit Free Press, "Ford would demolish this vacant Detroit building," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hazardous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.