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
Storm hazards include sudden wind gusts, frequent lightning and heavy rain. — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Additionally, rope toys can cause a choking hazard or even lacerate your dog’s digestive tract. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 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
  • However, the threat of taking California to the Supreme Court may be enough to bring the state’s AG Rob Bonta back to the bargaining table.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For those who pursued advanced degrees in education, the threat of student loans was also a burden.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • Certainly offensive puck luck was part of the story for the power play down the stretch; the club converted nearly 24 percent of its power-play shots over the final 25 games.
    — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Europe's weather luck may have run out this year, and the war in Iran is going to make things worse.
    — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of luck
Verb
  • Johnson said moving some of those funds would not endanger any ongoing projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Still, the trade war has compounded GOP concerns that the party is barreling toward November with a political weight on its back that could endanger Republicans’ prospects of holding on to their narrow majorities in the House and Senate.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of endanger
Verb
  • This exceeds the city manager’s authority to move temporary shelter projects forward without council approval, risking a vote that could stop the project altogether.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images If not, the NBA risks losing an incredible feature in its repertoire.
    — Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • Greek health campaigners have welcomed a growing awareness of the dangers of ultraviolet exposure and risk of heat stroke.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • That has taken the costly burden of insurance risk and physical danger of Iranian attacks away from commercial shippers and placed it on the US government and the oil producers themselves.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of danger
Noun
  • He was projected as a late-round draft pick in 2026, and another productive season, along with further development in the SEC, could boost his chances for a lasting NFL career starting in 2027.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Then, there will be another chance for some showers Friday into Saturday as a cold front approaches.
    — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of chance
Verb
  • An 18-year-old North Carolina woman threatened to fabricate child molestation accusations if a man didn’t give her cash, according to police in Huntersville.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Trump has threatened to also double tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from Canada from 25% to 50%.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of threaten
Noun
  • Suppose someone is involved in a serious car accident and goes home that night and tells an AI program exactly what happened.
    — Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Local lawmaker Anna Turley said Cleveland Police are investigating the accident, alongside the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hazard

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hazard

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