unsafe

adjective

un·​safe ˌən-ˈsāf 

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

Synonyms of unsafe

• dangerous
• hazardous
• risky
• perilous

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

Leaders monitor weather forecasts and decide whether to cancel a Friday ride due to unsafe conditions or to proceed as planned while reminding families to dress appropriately. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

That plane, an Airbus A300-600F, was found to have descended at an unsafe altitude, crashing and killing both members on board. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025

The plane was a Airbus A300-600F and descended to an unsafe altitude, ultimately crashing and killing both crew members aboard. —Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Nov. 2025

If it’s harvested from an area that’s been polluted, there’s a possibility it could be contaminated with unsafe minerals like mercury or arsenic. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsafe

• vouchsafe
• chafe
• safe
• waif