HAZARDOUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hazardous

adjective

ˈha-zər-dəs

Definition of hazardous next

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury a hazardous journey across the arctic ice

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 The wind could also whip around the remaining snow, which may result in visibility issues and hazardous driving conditions. —

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025 Additionally, several food items, such as samosas, paneer and raw chicken, were at potentially hazardous temperatures. —

Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025 In the months that followed the 9/11 attack, first responders and residents were exposed to a hazardous mix of asbestos, silica dust, heavy metals and other dangerous chemicals left behind by the massive amounts of ash, dust and debris created when the towers collapsed. —

Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025 Zoom in: The hazardous cold will be especially disruptive in the South and Southeast, where temperature departures from average will be significant. —

Andrew Freedman, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hazardous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hazardous

Adjective

Hart is suing her former employer, Extended Stay America, alleging that the company didn’t provide training or the most basic safety measures to handle dangerous and sometimes life-threatening work conditions.

— Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025
The agency issued a red warning, its highest-level alert indicating dangerous weather, for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, before downgrading it Friday afternoon.

— Claire Moses, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025