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

The charge alleges Guzman was driving at an unsafe speed to maintain control of the vehicle. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Included in the order is a provision allowing local supervisors of elections in affected areas to designate new polling places for sites that are unsafe or where voters can’t get to them because the roads are blocked due to flooding. — Roger Simmons, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026

Included in the order is a provision allowing local supervisors of elections in affected areas to designate new polling places at sites that are unsafe or where voters can't reach them because roads are blocked by flooding. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

While the early wear doesn’t make engines immediately unsafe, airlines face rising maintenance costs and operational strain from frequent inspections and part swaps before safety limits are breached. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsafe

• vouchsafe
• chafe
• safe
• waif