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

These immigrants came from countries once deemed unsafe to return to because of war, natural disasters or other crises. — Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Students at a Carrollton middle school were relocated to a stadium for dismissal after the campus was evacuated and officials determined the building was unsafe to re-enter. — Doug Myers, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Hotel officials repeatedly warned us not to leave because the streets were unsafe. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

As thousands of immigration court cases are shifted to Concord following the closure of the San Francisco office, speakers warned ICE’s presence may also be larger in the area, creating an unsafe environment for at-risk populations. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsafe

• vouchsafe
• chafe
• safe
• waif