unsafe

adjective

un·​safe ˌən-ˈsāf How to pronounce unsafe (audio)
unsafer; unsafest
: not safe: such as
a
: able or likely to cause harm, damage, or loss
water that is unsafe to drink
unsafe driving habits
unsafe levels of lead
b
: not giving protection from danger, harm, or loss
an unsafe vehicle
unsafe working conditions
c
: not protected from danger, harm, or loss
feeling frightened and unsafe
d
: likely to take risks : not careful
unsafe drivers

Examples of unsafe in a Sentence

workers are forbidden from engaging in unsafe activities on company time people who have a record of being unsafe drivers usually have to pay higher insurance premiums
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Food inside the fridge, including hot dogs and sandwiches, measured at unsafe temperatures. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025 Unauthorized immigrants are especially vulnerable to unsafe conditions and other abuses. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025 Nearly half of the protein powders tested had unsafe levels of heavy metals. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025 Some plastics can adsorb chemicals like a sponge and release them into clean drinking water slowly, making that water unsafe for long periods of time. Andrew J. Whelton, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for unsafe 

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsafe was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near unsafe

Cite this Entry

“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsafe. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsafe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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