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
  • All three Cabinet members were aware that Trump had secretly switched from the old Air Force One jet to the military aircraft given the threat, sources said.
    — Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Automated systems now make decisions and respond to threats at increasingly high speeds.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 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
  • They have both been charged with four counts of abandoning or endangering a child.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Kendra Duggar, 27, and Joseph Duggar, 31, were both charged on March 20 with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of false imprisonment after an investigation, according to a release from local police.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 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
  • The month of August offers some respite, a chance to reflect and reset before September kicks things into gear once more.
    — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The rookie didn't get a chance to show off his strikeout celebration, walking three and throwing a wild pitch that set up Mauricio Dubón's sacrifice fly.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 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
  • The Southeastern Connecticut Regional Traffic Unit were on scene as well as accident reconstructionist from the Groton and Ledyard police departments as well as detectives from the Groton Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In Colorado, motor vehicle accidents are the top cause of death for children after their first birthday and the second-leading cause for adults younger than 25, behind suicide.
    — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 9 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 17 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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