DANGEROUSLY 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 This is still an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 Aug. 2026 The National Weather Service has repeatedly warned of dangerous rip currents and elevated surf in recent weeks as multiple southerly swells battered the coastlines of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 More than 45 million people from California to the Dakotas are on alert for dangerous heat on Sunday, with several major cities, including Los Angeles, under extreme heat warnings. — Michelle Simmons, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 In Las Vegas, Saturday’s forecast high was 10 degrees above normal, with meteorologists warning of dangerous heat through Sunday, when the high is expected to be 114, said weather service meteorologist Morgan Stessman. — Tammy Webber, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dangerous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangerous

Adjective

The system also avoided hazardous conditions while controlling the spacecraft’s orientation, showing how autonomous software could reduce dependence on ground commands during military and scientific missions.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Authorities continue to warn the public about the dangers of the Kern River, describing it as extremely hazardous even for experienced swimmers.

— Denis Akbari, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

The Australian watchdog's claim, filed to the federal court Wednesday, said the unlimited broadcast size of Telegram channels meant the app must take responsibility for culling harmful material.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
During the 2015-16 season, for instance, Dungeness crabs off the coast of California were infected by a harmful algal bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia, which causes domoic acid poisoning in crabs, fish, birds and marine mammals.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of harmful

Adjective

In the Himalayan region, fragile mountains, seismic activity and unpredictable underground conditions make tunnel projects especially risky.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
The new joint venture draws a line between Doronin’s two companies and moves the heavy, risky capital requirements of real estate development into a separate vehicle.

— Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of risky

Adjective

Those children were held in custody for an average of 194 days before being released to sponsors, which lawyers who represent the children say is unusually long and has been detrimental to the health and safety of the children.

— Chiara Eisner, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
Much has been made of the detrimental effects of the rise in the minimum wage and an increase in employers’ national insurance costs (effectively a tax on employment) introduced by former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves.

— Roger Trapp, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of detrimental

Adjective

In this context, replicating reputation management by political methods could prove perilous.

— Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
The acclaimed filmmaker's adaptation stars Matt Damon as the intrepid Greek king Odysseus, who embarks on a perilous voyage home following the Trojan War.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of perilous

Adjective

Farther north, storms developing across the northern High Plains could bring damaging winds and hail as a cold front moves through parts of the Dakotas and Montana.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 29 July 2026
The assemblage turned the damaging caricature into a revolutionary hero, and made Saar a star of the Black Arts movement.

— Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of damaging

Adjective

The claim and counterclaim are among serious allegations – including of smear campaigns and embezzlement – aired in multiple court cases now swirling around the production of the Australian musical comedy.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Deputies followed behind and reported no serious injuries related to the rolling sedan.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 22 July 2026

Definition of serious

Adjective

The adverse weather in Auckland limited the group’s freedom to explore, but there were no such constraints in Sydney’s winter sun.

— Elias Burke, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Islamabad — Rescuers searching for 10 climbers missing after an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak located four bodies Friday and were continuing to search for the others despite adverse weather that hampered helicopter flights, officials said.

— CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of adverse

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danger

dangerous

dangers

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“Dangerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dangerous. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of dangerous

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