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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 However, the promise of synthetic data hides a dangerous paradox. Jēnna Reese, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 Officials issue a heat advisory for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria, the NWS said. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 23 July 2025 These public beaches are stinking with dangerous pollution. Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025 The federal government grants access to the dangerous drugs with virtually no guardrails. David Bereit, National Review, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dangerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangerous
Adjective
  • Despite receiving safety stamps of approval, the process for building the Las Vegas tunnels came under fire for worker safety violations and concerns, with the project being cited for numerous violations that included injuries and exposure to hazardous materials.
    Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
  • Tyler Swardson with Greenwood Fire said their hazardous materials response team is on site to address any potential hazards.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • That might help researchers discover which technology helps what kinds of people best and which makes no impact or is harmful to brain health.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • McNair said any delay in response from school officials and emergency responders are especially harmful.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • But through the sheer power of mixing genes into new combinations, the risky gamble of interspecies pairings has also sometimes majorly paid off.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 July 2025
  • The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) highlights how sleep deficiency, on the other hand, impairs these abilities and is linked to emotional issues, depression, and risky behaviors—especially in children and teens.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • The platform was recently accused by several state attorneys general of implementing addictive features across its family of apps that have detrimental effects on children’s mental health.
    Zach Vallese, CNBC, 23 July 2025
  • Water is a systemic need for plants of all types; however, too much water, whether supplied by rain or irrigation, is detrimental.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 July 2025
  • In a perilous moment, the titular character uses the bullwhip to attach to a German cargo truck’s rear and drag behind it, saving himself from getting crushed beneath it.
    India Brown, Robb Report, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Expose how these programs and their curriculum are damaging and not aligned with state workforce demands.
    Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Despite the initial euphoria on European stock markets, strategists at UBS suggest the deal is likely to be damaging in the long run.
    Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • This surge in extreme heat drives up energy demand and poses serious health risks to vulnerable populations.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • But her feelings begin to shift after Steven gets into a serious car accident.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • The team identified three distinct behavioral phenotypes as a result of their experiments, representing the varying sensitivity of people to the adverse consequences (punishment) of their actions.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2025
  • Without such data, the systems can serve adverse, false results or fail to understand the context of a user’s query, among other issues.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dangerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangerous. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dangerous

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