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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

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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

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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
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
When asked to predict demand for a product that doesn’t exist yet, AI will hazard a guess based on the past. — Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 18 Mar. 2026 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 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
  • Similarly, a citizen who violates technology export or import regulations could be banned from leaving if the action endangers industrial or technological security, the regulation says.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities could prevent Chinese citizens from leaving if their departure violates export control rules in a way that could endanger national industrial or technological security.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of endanger
Verb
  • An investor can better de-risk their investment by relying on local observations.
    — Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Similarly, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin lacks the resources to risk a full-on war with NATO.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 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
  • Nevertheless, for homebuyers with thin credit histories, having an alternative credit score used could mean a greater chance of getting more favorable mortgage terms.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Connecting with family history For Kassidy Angelo, Gioia’s co-founder and managing director, La Sponda signifies not only a new frontier for the company but also a chance to revisit her family’s heritage.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of chance
Verb
  • Insurance remains an essential tool for protecting against losses that could threaten liquidity, earnings or operations.
    — Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The fighting threatens to reignite a war that for more than a decade brought disaster to Yemen, killing more than 150,000 people and driving the country to the brink of famine.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 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
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Cite this Entry

“Hazard.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hazard. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hazard

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hazard

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