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Synonym Chooser

How is the word dangerous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of dangerous are hazardous, perilous, precarious, and risky. While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

When could hazardous be used to replace dangerous?

The meanings of hazardous and dangerous largely overlap; however, hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When can perilous be used instead of dangerous?

The synonyms perilous and dangerous are sometimes interchangeable, but perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

When might precarious be a better fit than dangerous?

In some situations, the words precarious and dangerous are roughly equivalent. However, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

When is it sensible to use risky instead of dangerous?

The words risky and dangerous can be used in similar contexts, but risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dangerous Since these regions are closer to land, any storms that form have a greater chance to cause dangerous impacts. Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 These flying manipulators could be deployed in environments where sending humans is dangerous, such as disaster zones, high-rise maintenance, or industrial inspections. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025 In Johnston’s reimagining, Jim and Credenza Twit operate the most disgusting, dangerous, and idiotic amusement park in the world, Twitlandia. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025 The episode led to a dangerous car crash. Brian Mann, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dangerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangerous
Adjective
  • Soon enough, the hazardous conditions overwhelm the area and Kevin has to get creative with maps and his driving skills, plus embrace a daredevil spirit, for even a chance of making it out alive with his young charges.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The computer scientists used an AI program to generate DNA codes for more than 75,000 variants of hazardous proteins – and the firewalls used by DNA manufacturers weren't consistently able to catch them.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Hendryx also said the move would lead to more environmental destruction, more local air and water pollution from mining sites, more pollution from power plants, more harmful contributions to climate change emissions, and other negative impacts.
    John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The lack of structure could have harmful consequences for kids in the long run.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That said, homepage refreshes are always risky, with user engagement always top of mind.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Its increase—up more than 45% over the past year—has outperformed the S&P 500, perhaps suggesting investors are valuing the security of gold more than the riskier equity markets.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Now the passion and confidence are overflowing in a way that’s detrimental.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Even some Republicans began warning this summer that letting those tax credits lapse could be detrimental, with Republican pollsters Tony Fabrizio and Bob Ward issuing a memo that cautioned an extension of the credits could make a difference in next year's midterm election.
    Amanda Seitz, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But after arriving to the property, she’s lured into a desperate scavenger hunt down a perilous rabbit hole.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Large rock-face murals scattered across the desert in northern Saudi Arabia represent one of the most ambitious – and perilous – creative feats of ancient humans, with researchers arguing that the massive carvings acted as visual beacons, guiding people toward crucial water sources.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While many consider the mammal a nuisance for raiding garbage cans and damaging property, raccoons can also carry diseases, and they probably shouldn't be kept as housepets.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Additional details about the texts could also be more damaging to Robinson's defense, Lazaro said.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • From a potentially serious injury sustained by linebacker Dwight Nunoo to a multitude of mistakes, Saturday’s 51-10 loss to the host Connecticut Huskies (4-2) was devastating to FIU (2-3).
    Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
  • This was a period of serious violence in Argentina, with the most notable death in footballing terms being the assassination of General Omar Actis, the head of the World Cup organising committee.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Concerns or reports of adverse effects can be directed to the FDA's Human Foods Program at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).
    Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Such issues include severe weather impacts, adverse road conditions and trash buildups that pose a threat to human and/or wildlife health.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dangerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangerous. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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