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

Under appropriate oversight, ambient AI is not systematically unsafe. — Pat Williams, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Former Metrolink chief operating officer Donald Filippi filed a lawsuit claiming he was fired after raising concerns over unsafe rail equipment. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

In an example of the strange bedfellows this issue has created, Sacks and former Biden administration FTC head Lina Khan have both said that existing product liability laws could be used to prevent AI companies from releasing unsafe products. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

The Herald previously reported that employees and former employees had criticized 21 Air for its unsafe working conditions. — Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsafe

• vouchsafe
• chafe
• safe
• waif