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

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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

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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
The fire did not spread to the nearby building, and crews were able to clear the hazard. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 The facility has grown substantially, and neighbors have been forced to endure the intensification’s resulting escalation of safety hazards, traffic congestion, noise levels and parking shortages. — Farley Road Neighborhood Coalition, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 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
  • The goal is also to keep the aircraft adaptable as threats and military requirements change.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Firms in the Program may receive threat information from other private entities and from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, and may propose operations to the NCC.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • Lan Larison had some hard luck with the rushing lanes he was given, but otherwise gave the offense no juice.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Green Lantern, a secondary figure in the DC Comics pantheon, had the ill luck to be trapped in a 2011 Ryan Reynolds film even its director didn’t like.
    — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of luck
Verb
  • What workloads, if compromised, would actually stop the business or endanger people.
    — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Demining groups say that without international support, Southeast Asia’s unfinished work clearing land mines and unexploded bombs will continue to endanger communities, maiming and killing people and slowing development for years to come.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of endanger
Verb
  • The Fed could raise interest rates in an effort to cool off prices, but the move risks an economic slowdown that may pinch hiring.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The internet offers myriad new ways to risk your nest egg, as do all those flashy new casinos.
    — Stephen J. K. Walters, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • What the Mets learned at those positions in 2026 is the danger of counting on one player — aside from All-Star-level contributors — when faced with underperformance or injury.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The government had shown no information that the immigrant was a danger or flight risk, Winmill said.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of danger
Noun
  • Historically, the ruling party in Nigeria's presidential elections usually has a higher chance of winning when the race features more than one prominent opposition candidate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • But with races like the one in Alaska, the party sees an opportunity to improve its chances.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of chance
Verb
  • Those supporters have done their club proud, a point embodied by the gradual improvements made to a ground Exeter were once threatened with eviction from under previous owners.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • An investigation found that the man allegedly assaulted his 63-year-old father and threatened to kill people at the home following an argument.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of threaten
Noun
  • Like Roth, four people say their first diamond purchase was something of an accident, either by inadvertently making a bid or their shockingly low offer ending up winning the auction.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In the two years since the accident, Alicia, 35, has taken on the role of caregiver for her 37-year-old husband, supporting his therapy exercises, managing appointments and advocating for him within the medical system.
    — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of accident

Browse Nearby Words

haywire
hazard
hazarded
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Cite this Entry

“Hazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hazard. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hazard

Nglish: Translation of hazard for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hazard

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