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 Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025 Extend some waste permits: Solid and hazardous waste permits range from three to five years in length. Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 3 July 2025 The weather service warns roads could be slick and hazardous, especially bridges and overpasses. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Many analysts believe that robots like the K2 are likely to complement human workers by taking over monotonous or hazardous duties, which allows people to focus on more complex, creative, or supervisory tasks. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hazardous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hazardous
Adjective
  • And the Santa Barbara temblor revealed just how dangerous brick buildings built in that era could be.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • After landing, the most dangerous times, statistically speaking, are takeoff, approach, and initial climb.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025
  • The rap scene, then steeped in gangster culture, was perilous.
    Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • Voyager is a risky but fruitful investment into a huge growth market, according to many analysts, who are counting on the company’s Starlab commercial space station as the ultimate upside opportunity for the firm.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 7 July 2025
  • Much of this inventory is now sitting idle on the market, as buyers steer away from a likely risky investment.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some 182 people with serious mental illness in the city jails are waiting for one of those beds, city correction officials said Thursday.
    Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • An electric motorcycle bearing a Honda badge is bound to attract serious attention – and lately, the rumor mill has been buzzing.
    Utkarsh Sood June 29, New Atlas, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • If people aren’t speaking up, ask what truths feel unsafe to say.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The administration claimed that Harvard failed to act despite being aware that Jewish and Israeli students felt unsafe on campus.
    Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hazardous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hazardous. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on hazardous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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