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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 Acetaminophen, the drug marketed under the name Tylenol, is the first line medication for treating fever in pregnant women, and the alternatives, as the obstetrician and professor at the University of Liverpool knew, can be dangerous. Veronique Greenwood, Time, 10 Nov. 2025 In 2015, nations agreed at COP20 in Paris to cut emissions sufficiently to avoid the most dangerous warming. Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025 MrBeast has been the target of plenty of scrutiny in recent years for his elaborate — and sometimes dangerous — stunts. Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025 In fact, Thanksgiving, along with Christmas and New Year’s Day, all see an uptick in those dangerous driving habits, but the fourth Thursday of November, when so many families travel long distances to gather together over turkey, stuffing or maybe mac and cheese, sees the most worrisome surge. Eric D. Lawrence, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dangerous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangerous
Adjective
  • The result, Kahn says, is that parts of Earth’s orbital environment are rife with hazardous objects that can collide with vital space infrastructure.
    Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
  • All seven patients were cleared almost immediately and no hazardous materials turned up on base, Fox News is told.
    Jennifer Griffin , Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Specialty cleaners made for glass cooktops don’t contain harmful ingredients like ammonia.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Small settings changes can make a big difference in reducing exposure to harmful or suggestive content.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The right-hander generated a ground ball to get the force out at home in an extremely close call, and the very next pitch was a risky fly out tracked down by Andy Pages (who entered the game after the bases were loaded).
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The seedless doctrine For years, Tangem campaigned against seed phrases as risky and error-prone, arguing that paper or metal backups become a single, theft-prone secret that ordinary people routinely mishandle.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • So, a pause from the action after that win didn’t seem too detrimental at the time.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
  • These politically and financially motivated actions will have a detrimental impact on public health for our consumers in this state.
    Will McDuffie, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Even through a perilous run of Eastern Conference playoff contenders, riddled with late-game scenarios, Chicago has clutched its formula.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Facing violence at home in Myanmar and increasingly difficult living conditions in sprawling refugee camps in Bangladesh, Rohingya from both countries regularly attempt perilous journeys by sea, including to Malaysia and Indonesia.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Seven lawsuits filed this week in California allege that ordinary users seeking school help, spiritual reassurance, or simple conversation were instead drawn into psychologically damaging exchanges that ultimately preceded several suicides.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Vietnam is preparing for damaging winds, flooding, heavy rain and storm surges in its central provinces including Danang, Quang Ngai and Dak Lak.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • If Haaland isn’t my choice here, there should be serious consideration at The Athletic about sacking me.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • As for the safety of the drug, about 10% of the adults taking enlicitide experienced serious adverse events during the study and a similar share, about 12%, of those taking a placebo experienced adverse events in the study.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Because obesity will drive higher blood pressure, higher blood sugar, more adverse cholesterol levels—all sorts of things—that sort of becomes a perfect storm.
    Veronique Greenwood, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
  • These weather conditions will result in elevated fire potential and a threat of adverse fire behavior.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dangerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangerous. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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