hazard 1 of 2

noun

ˈha-zərd How to pronounce hazard (audio)
Definition of hazardnext
1
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm the tumbledown old barn was considered a fire hazard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in luck
the uncertain course of events it was only by hazard and good fortune that we found our way back to the trail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hazard

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to endanger
to place in danger just so the tourists could see the sea lions up close, the captain needlessly hazarded his ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to risk
to take a chance on was unwilling to hazard landing the plane on the small island, which didn't even have an airfield

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 hazard
Noun
Every environment has its own hazards The Oregon Trail travelers worried about river crossings, disease and harsh weather. — Elaine Reno, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026 Trailers can get stuck, and with hazards closer to the surface, props can get damaged. — Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
Clothes Iron and Steamer Many cruise lines have policies forbidding the use of clothes irons and steamers and won’t allow these fire hazards onboard. — Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026 Beach hazards statements will remain in effect until conditions improve and are expected to be re-evaluated regularly. — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hazard
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hazard
  1. threat
  2. luck
  3. endanger
  4. risk
  5. danger
  6. chance
  7. threaten
  8. accident
Noun
  • This isn’t really about an existential threat coming for the status quo of professional golf anymore.
    — Brody Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Still, the threats have increased for the islands of Niihau and Kauai because the storm's forecast track has shifted steadily eastward, the National Hurricane Center said.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • The prospects who are performing well enough to expect a September call-up in a normal season, like Parks Harber, might be out of luck.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The big one, of course, is that NASCAR created a new playoff format meant to erase luck.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of luck
Verb
  • The Sumatran tiger, classified as critically endangered by the United Nations and conservation groups, is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, which is slightly larger than Sweden.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Papadopoulos relies on this faltering system that is now endangered.
    — Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of endanger
Verb
  • Units for every play below are to win one unit on favorites or risk one unit on underdogs unless otherwise noted.
    — Austin Mock, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • But dropping the questions could boost responses without risking privacy violations.
    — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • The mudslide hit part of a village in Suichuan County in Jiangxi province in the early hours, prompting rescuers to rush to the scene and relocate residents to safer ground to prevent further danger, authorities said in a statement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Anderson portrays a young woman caught between danger and redemption under Joe’s guidance.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of danger
Noun
  • The Seattle Seahawks have gotten an offseason full of congratulations, their Super Bowl rings and now will get the chance to see the banner raised before kicking off this season with hopes of repeating.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • There was one big first-half chance that went begging, Callum Doyle’s flick-on leaving the Wales international with just goalkeeper Max Weiss to beat, but his close-range header was tipped over.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of chance
Verb
  • The euro zone, a net importer of energy, has seen inflation above the ECB's 2% target since the war in the Middle East threatened commodity transit through the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil prices to spike and remain volatile.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Anthem aims to give US forces a way to threaten those targets during extended operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of threaten
Noun
  • Cargo plane crashes in the US The crash is the latest in a series of high-profile aircraft accidents in the United States.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Every day, the Daily News covers page upon page of shootings, stabbings, fires, bike accidents, political happenings, etc.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of accident

Browse Nearby Words

haywire
hazard
hazarded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hazard. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on hazard

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hazard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of loath

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All