DANGEROUS Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

dangerous

adjective

ˈdān-jə-rəs

Definition of dangerous

as in hazardous

involving potential loss or injury the soldiers were specially selected to go on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm the common knowledge that smoking is dangerous to one's health hasn't stopped some people

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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 Meanwhile, the financial clout of the industry has grown considerably, resulting in a new, more dangerous problem. — Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026 Attempting to de-escalate the scare, Rospotrebnadzor declared the regional sanitary situation stable after secondary testing showed no traces of dangerous pathogens linked to Shipilova’s research. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026 Temperatures have reached dangerous levels across Japan and 40 degrees Celsius was reported today for the first time this year. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026 They are considered dangerous to humans due to their speed, power and size. — Jasmine Mendez follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dangerous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangerous

Adjective

Ensure heat is working so tenants don’t need space heaters, which can be particularly hazardous in buildings with older electrical systems.

— Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
The action comes as Livingston locals raised concerns about the film’s impact on local business — and notably the city’s sole food bank — as well as improper notification about hazardous stunts.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

While the baits are not harmful to pets, eating several may cause mild stomach upset.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
The film primarily follows Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), a Facebook employee in the company’s civic integrity team, the group tasked with making sure Facebook acts responsibly and avoids the harmful impacts of its product.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

While a model alone might flag a transaction as risky, the decisions may contain high levels of inaccuracy without orchestrating the signals.

— Harsh Verma, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
The acquisition was considered risky because semiconductor manufacturing is highly cyclical and requires substantial capital investment.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of risky

Adjective

Early detection is also instrumental to addressing chronic absenteeism, classroom misconduct and student disconnectedness detrimental to any learning environment.

— Vanessa Andersen, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Brown was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team in 1997 and then was cut.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of detrimental

Adjective

Williams heads up the Rory Peck Trust, which provides funds and training to aid the security of freelance journalists who are reporting in perilous zones.

— David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
Alas, for an increasing share of the population, stretching to buy a home is a perilous financial move.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of perilous

Adjective

But for the most part, both are getting their points across, landing a few licks and, so far, avoiding the sort of major gaffe or damaging moment that could reshape the race.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 7 Oct. 2026
The region stretching from North Dakota to Texas contains a large share of the country’s beef production, Hanson said, making prolonged drought there particularly damaging.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of damaging

Adjective

Doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs) treat all foot conditions ranging from toenails, bunions, fractures, and plantar fasciitis to serious diabetic foot complications that can lead to limb amputation.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
What began as a hobby to help explain complex redistricting cases more effectively has grown into a serious media operation.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of serious

Adjective

Retaliation is described as an adverse employment action connected to an activity protected by a law under its jurisdiction.

— William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Eating Sweetened Foods With Protein Eating protein alongside sugary snacks can help stabilize your blood sugar and minimize the spikes that lead to a host of adverse health effects.

— Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of adverse

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dangerous

dangers

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“Dangerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangerous. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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