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 coffee chain has come under fire this spring for allegations of child labor, trafficking workers and unsafe working conditions on a Brazilian coffee farm.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
As the trooper activated their emergency lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop, the driver allegedly engaging the trooper in pursuit, failing to stop and accelerating while making unsafe lane changes and weaving in and out of traffic, according to state police.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
Another property in Denver was also closed — and moved into receivership — earlier this year because it was deemed unsafe.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
Improper Conduct – Any member attempting to or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe conduct, or conduct detrimental to racing; INDYCAR; and/or to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, whether during an Event or on/off the Track, may be subject to any or all penalties.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsafe
Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
As the trooper activated their emergency lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop, the driver allegedly engaging the trooper in pursuit, failing to stop and accelerating while making unsafe lane changes and weaving in and out of traffic, according to state police.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
Another property in Denver was also closed — and moved into receivership — earlier this year because it was deemed unsafe.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 30 May 2025
Improper Conduct – Any member attempting to or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct, unsafe conduct, or conduct detrimental to racing; INDYCAR; and/or to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, whether during an Event or on/off the Track, may be subject to any or all penalties.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsafe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsafe
Adjective
-
At times, the Algerian even operated as a wide forward as O’Neil grappled with a forward injury crisis and identified Ait-Nouri as his most dangerous attacking threat.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
Furthermore, is a reliance on new safety and driver assistance features potentially dangerous? Ford recall extends to over one million vehicles due to rearview camera issue Why are over a million Ford models included in NHTSA's recent recall notices?—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
In August 2023, using the FWC’s report on the crash, prosecutors initially charged Pino with only three counts of misdemeanor careless boating.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
-
Being a careless jackass but also irresistibly charming is a tough needle to thread.—
Staff Author Published,
EW.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Other parts of the southeastern US could see hazardous weather Friday afternoon and evening.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
-
However, a small portion of them, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), do require close monitoring.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sadly, the reckless political extremism of mid-20th century America is also having a revival.—
Jane S. Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2025
-
Keep an open mind, as an erratic square between Mars and Uranus on June 15 could shake things up in unpredictable ways and result in some reckless behavior.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Not mentioned in the CIT decision—and likely riskier—is section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930.—
Jill Goldenziel,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
With the use of additional biomarkers and prostate MRI, the diagnosis of men with prostate cancer is more precise and avoids the detection of low-risk indolent prostate cancer and rather focuses on the early detection and effective treatment of more clinically risky prostate cancer.—
Franklin D Gaylis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
The first season traces Ellie and Joel’s perilous journey, punctuated by attacks by the infected, the depredations of groups of raiders, and betrayals galore by would-be allies.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
-
One brother, guided by moral duty, convinces the other to help the mother and join a perilous investigation to find the child.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsafe. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share