1
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
workers are forbidden from engaging in unsafe activities on company time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in careless
not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble
people who have a record of being unsafe drivers usually have to pay higher insurance premiums
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unsafe
The measure is designed to prevent landlords from punishing tenants who exercise their legal rights, including filing complaints, joining tenant unions, withholding rent for serious issues, or speaking publicly about unsafe housing.
—
Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 12 June 2026
After taking several streets before heading east on San Dieguito Road, the pursuit was called off due to erratic driving and unsafe speeds, police said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2026
Commenters on the council of Villasimius' Facebook page were less than thrilled about the new rules, slamming the umbrella rule as unsafe and deeming the beach cost unfair.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Culverts can become unstable and unsafe.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsafe
Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 12 June 2026
After taking several streets before heading east on San Dieguito Road, the pursuit was called off due to erratic driving and unsafe speeds, police said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2026
Commenters on the council of Villasimius' Facebook page were less than thrilled about the new rules, slamming the umbrella rule as unsafe and deeming the beach cost unfair.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Culverts can become unstable and unsafe.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsafe
Adjective
-
That is exactly why these fake job offers are so dangerous.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
-
Over the last week, the greatest threat of dangerous rip currents and sneaker waves has been on the beaches facing south or southwest, officials said.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Who would be so careless to leave such a mess behind?—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
He had been charged with far-less severe counts of misdemeanor careless boating after the original Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation ended in August 2023.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
Tests revealed the water is contaminated with nitrate, which can come from fertilizer, animal manure or human sewage, and 1,2,3-trichloropropane, a hazardous chemical that was widely used in pesticides years ago.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
As buttoned-up and as rule-abiding as Nicky is, Morgan is reckless.—
Carita Rizzo,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
-
That same week, a 17-year-old was charged with assault, reckless endangerment, and handgun violations after injuring his 14-year-old relative in a shooting.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
In early April, the US military had to launch a risky operation to rescue one of the pilots of a F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down inside Iran.—
Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
But that would be risky because a new deal could clog Miami’s cap, eliminating potential max salary cap space next summer unless Miami can find a taker for Jovic’s extension.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
When the perilous search for the Northwest Passage sparked a wave of popular interest in the Arctic, Church set off by schooner in search of icebergs.—
Susan Tallman,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
-
Leo wrapped up his weeklong trip to Spain in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago closer to Africa than the Iberian Peninsula and a key point of entry for migrants who make the perilous Atlantic crossing from West Africa.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsafe. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
