Synonym Chooser

How is the word hazardous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of hazardous are dangerous, perilous, precarious, and risky. While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When is dangerous a more appropriate choice than hazardous?

In some situations, the words dangerous and hazardous are roughly equivalent. However, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

When could perilous be used to replace hazardous?

Although the words perilous and hazardous have much in common, perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

In what contexts can precarious take the place of hazardous?

While the synonyms precarious and hazardous are close in meaning, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

Where would risky be a reasonable alternative to hazardous?

While in some cases nearly identical to hazardous, risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

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 hazardous In contrast, a CO detector explicitly identifies the presence of carbon monoxide, a different and even more hazardous type of gas. Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025 The cans are being recalled due to the possible presence of metal in the drinks, which would clearly be hazardous if consumed. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025 Heavy rain prompts traffic warning on eastbound I-435 in Kansas City A traffic warning has been issued for hazardous driving conditions due to heavy rain between I-29/US-71 (Kansas City) (East) and Cookingham Drive/Exit 36 on I-435. Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2025 Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises. Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hazardous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hazardous
Adjective
  • Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli is charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft, according to a news release from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
    Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
  • This connection would become increasingly important over the twentieth century, as the rapid development of technological infrastructure created ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous sensitivities to geomagnetic storms.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The young girls are going back to their remote mountain village to take part in the perilous harvest of the yarsagumba, a rare creature, half mushroom, half insect, whose value exceeds that of gold.
    Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The 121-year-old park in Midtown is the scene of a child's birthday that turns perilous as gusty winds send a red kite, and the little girl holding it, soaring above the Parthenon.
    Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Moving fast without solid data can be just as risky as moving too slowly, Gallucci said.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Yet, an annual ranking of global markets still ranks Miami as the riskiest in the world.
    Tom Hudson, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Rule out any more serious conditions.
    RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Springsteen has been open over the years about navigating depression, which began to get serious during his early 30s.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The New Brunswick house also possessed a history of building code violations and officials have since declared the building to be an unsafe structure, according to NJ Advance Media.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • In making the rule, the CPSC said there were 17 deaths in 2020 and at least 17 deaths in 2021 because of the contribution to unsafe sleeping conditions of infant loungers.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hazardous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hazardous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hazardous

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