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

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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

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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
Climbing the tower while it is powered up and transmitting poses particular hazards. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Under federal rules, if a complaint about an infant formula — such as a report of an adverse event — shows a possible health hazard, the company must investigate. — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 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 Few would hazard a guess at what the world of technology will look like when VivaTech celebrates its 20th birthday. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 13 May 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
  • But the threat of a partial collapse Tuesday by one such conversion in progress highlighted the significant challenges of those construction projects.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • Mike Bland told The Times the officer’s name has not been released because of an investigation into threats against him.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • The group of death in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers wasn’t enough, because in Egypt’s next attempt to reach the finals in 2006, their luck put them in a group with Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast and Samuel Eto’o’s Cameroon.
    — Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • In retrospect, the result looks less like luck than like a compounding advantage.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of luck
Verb
  • But that’s not the same as asserting that the physical differences between males and females invariably mean that men will invariably prevail over women in all competitions or that their participation will endanger women.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • In addition, they are expected to argue the shooting endangered others at Kirk’s campus event — an aggravating circumstance that could make the crime punishable by death under Utah law.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of endanger
Verb
  • The trial court risked prejudicing the jury by improperly admitting evidence about Mead Johnson’s finances, including its revenues, profits, and executive compensation, the appeals court said.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Delaying much beyond that risks the continuity that has sustained collider physics for generations.
    — Florencia Canelli, Scientific American, 1 July 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • Bikes on streets without bike lanes are a danger to bike riders.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Riders, bicycle-makers, drivers, pedestrians and lawmakers need to have their heads on swivels, as some have been too complacent about the dangers.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of danger
Noun
  • In addition, their style of play makes broad use of their outrageous attacking options, virtually guaranteeing a supply of chances for a player who can score almost any type of goal from anywhere in the attacking third.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 July 2026
  • Amid its six-shot flurry in the initial 10 minutes, Belgium created one golden chance that was a near miss.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of chance
Verb
  • The caller reported that a family member was threatening them.
    — Nathan Pilling July 1, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • In the weeks since Fable 5 and Mythos 5 were forced out of commission, industry leaders and experts became increasingly worried that the ad-hoc ban would threaten America’s AI lead against China.
    — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 July 2026
Definition of threaten
Noun
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Since 2023, state regulators have issued 6,928 citations, including 140 for abuse and neglect by staff, 254 for accident hazards, and 257 for failing to control infections, according to state records.
    — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026
Definition of accident

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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 8 Jul. 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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