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a dangerous situation
an unsafe situation
a hazardous situation
a risky situation
a scary situation
a serious situation
dangerous precedent
troublesome precedent
perilous precedent
awful precedent
unhealthy precedent
horrible precedent
dangerous levels
unhealthy levels
risky levels
toxic levels
deadly levels
hazardous levels
a dangerous enemy
a powerful enemy
a deadly enemy
a potent enemy
a wicked enemy
a threatening enemy

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 Israel considered Iran its most dangerous enemy for decades. Greg Myre, NPR, 28 June 2025 If the positions rest on loyalty, or fealty, or even punishment, how is that person supposed to deal with being isolated with presumably dangerous criminal inmates in the middle of a swamp? Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025 Myung-gi suggests that Min-su may be dangerous as a drug addict seemingly going through withdrawals, and the group votes to take him out first. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025 And here, the country is experiencing a profound—and dangerous—shift. Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dangerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangerous
Adjective
  • Some have also reported hazardous biking conditions due to traffic.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
  • Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for hazardous conditions.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most common and harmful examples is the Social Security Administration phishing scam, which targets unsuspecting individuals with alarming and deceptive messages.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
  • Avoid charring or cooking over high flames, which can create harmful compounds (like HCAs and PAHs).
    Lauryn Higgins, Time, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • This represents a highly unorthodox and potentially risky approach to trade.
    Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 7 July 2025
  • Voyager is a risky but fruitful investment into a huge growth market, according to many analysts, who are counting on the company’s Starlab commercial space station as the ultimate upside opportunity for the firm.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is especially detrimental because personal health doesn’t send urgent alerts the way business metrics do.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Along with cannabis, alcohol consumption and smoking can be detrimental to fertility.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025
  • The rap scene, then steeped in gangster culture, was perilous.
    Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • Texas and the Upper Midwest could continue to see strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail through the weekend.
    Taylor Ward, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
  • Be prepared for damaging winds, lightning and possibly large hail.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • Historians often describe Flammarion more as a popularizer than a serious scientist, but this should not diminish his accomplishments.
    Matthew Shindell, Space.com, 29 June 2025
  • To be sure, there have been positive signs that the revival was working, not least because the Tata’s were prepared to deploy serious capital and effort to back its ambitions.
    Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • The other four are: Columbus, New Mexico, on July 14 Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on July 21 Del Rio, Texas, on August 18 Laredo, Texas, on September 15 Each reopening will be evaluated for adverse effects before proceeding to the next phase.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • Then, notify the FDA MedWatch adverse event program.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dangerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangerous. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dangerous

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