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
That stoked the fears of residents nearby who said the risk of environmental and health damage caused if a fire broke out made the plant unsafe.
—
John Tuohy, IndyStar, 1 Aug. 2025
If returning to the general population proves unsafe, the inmate may be transferred to another facility.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The motorcyclist, who was traveling north on 3500 Ingraham, struck the Corolla broadside and was ejected from the motorcycle, said SDPD Officer Jose Perales.
Video cameras in the area captured the motorcycle rider traveling at unsafe speeds, police said.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2025
In July, the city construction board declared the house an unsafe structure and gave the owners five days to fix the situation.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsafe
John Tuohy, IndyStar, 1 Aug. 2025
If returning to the general population proves unsafe, the inmate may be transferred to another facility.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The motorcyclist, who was traveling north on 3500 Ingraham, struck the Corolla broadside and was ejected from the motorcycle, said SDPD Officer Jose Perales.
Video cameras in the area captured the motorcycle rider traveling at unsafe speeds, police said.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 2025
In July, the city construction board declared the house an unsafe structure and gave the owners five days to fix the situation.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsafe
Adjective
-
That said, the Revolution had promising spells of attacking play and even looked the more dangerous side in the first half.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
-
In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The 24-year-old man was charged with involuntary manslaughter, careless discharge causing death and a separate firearm charge, officials say.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The plea deal dropped an additional charge of careless driving resulting in death from his case, court records show.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The pace of the 2025 fires is reminiscent of the record-breaking 2023 wildfire season, which exposed millions of people in North America to hazardous smoke levels.—
Jun Wang,
Space.com,
9 Aug. 2025
-
The collapse of the bridge also caused hazardous debris to enter the Colorado River waterway.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
With real pressure from Washington, Addis Ababa and the Tigrayan administration should be able to marginalize the reckless factions that are seeking to exploit the situation—and finally bring to heel the Middle Eastern powers that have for too long enjoyed free rein to meddle in the Horn of Africa.—
Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Aug. 2025
-
But this season, he’s largely kept her in the dark about his reckless bid to construct a transnational railroad line.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Choose the concepts that challenge your thinking or open entirely new avenues — the ones that feel risky in an interesting way.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
But the crypto industry is made up largely of riskier products than stablecoins — and firms fear a future president could unravel much of what Trump has done to boost them.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Murphy only wants to escape and regain custody of his daughter, Penny, but becomes entangled in Clancy’s perilous gold smuggling scheme, facing threats from both the treacherous wilderness and potential betrayal within his own group.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The lack of comprehensive protections and support systems for athletes echoes the Wild West’s perilous landscape, where pioneers often had to fend for themselves amid uncertainty and danger.—
Jim Martin,
Denver Post,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsafe. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share