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

According to Valentine, public response to Linsley’s death demonstrated the personal responsibility of women to avoid finding themselves in unsafe spaces and situations. —JSTOR Daily, 14 Nov. 2025

Flies were found in the kitchen, lettuce was stored at an unsafe temperature and some raw fish and chicken weren’t properly dated. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2025

Our democracy is no place for inhumane, unsafe detention conditions. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

Rinsing under running water is usually sufficient; avoid using soaps or household cleaners, which can leave residues that are unsafe to consume. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsafe

• vouchsafe
• chafe
• safe
• waif