unsafe

adjective

un·​safe ˌən-ˈsāf How to pronounce unsafe (audio)
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

Examples of unsafe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Motta and his sister, Dr. Gabriella Motta, a Pennsylvania veterinarian, published a 2023 study that found that nearly 40% of U.S. dog owners believe canine vaccines are unsafe. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024 Taking a hunger suppressant may be unsafe for those who are a healthy weight or are underweight. Weight Loss Advisors, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 The fake solar eclipse glasses, which have popped up across the United States, are no darker than ordinary sunglasses and unsafe for solar viewing, according to the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024 This constellation of changes to the nervous system leaves the child in a heightened state of fear, either fleeing or fighting to cope with an unsafe world. Marc D. Hauser, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024 In Lafayette County, for example, 27% of wells tested in November 2018 and 20% tested in April 2019 had unsafe nitrate concentrations. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024 The city ordered the condo owners to evacuate the building temporarily after officials found the aging condo towers unsafe and overdue for a 40-year structural review. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024 Dive operations to recover the victims have been suspended due to unsafe conditions in the water, according to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2024 In the future, Azure users can also get a report of users who attempt to trigger unsafe outputs. Emilia David, The Verge, 28 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsafe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsafe was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near unsafe

Cite this Entry

“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsafe. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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