dangerous

adjective

dan·​ger·​ous ˈdān-jə-rəs How to pronounce dangerous (audio)
ˈdān-jərs,
-zhrəs
1
: involving possible injury, pain, harm, or loss : characterized by danger
a dangerous job
2
: able or likely to inflict injury or harm
a dangerous man
dangerously adverb
dangerousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for dangerous

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury.

dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples of dangerous in a Sentence

She got into a car accident while driving through a dangerous intersection. He often drives at dangerous speeds. The city can be a dangerous place to live. The storms may cause dangerous flooding. He is wanted for assault with a dangerous weapon. the most dangerous of drugs
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.
Paved highways meant dangerous going for horse and rider, and her only mishap of the trip would come at Portland, when Goldie slipped on rain-slick pavement and fell on his rider and broke her leg, resulting in a delay of several weeks. Ben East, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025 Part of this season’s focus has been on building his partnership with Murphy, whose primary attacking role is to find Isak in dangerous areas, and encouraging his team-mates to involve the striker whenever possible. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 That defense is why this team is extremely dangerous. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dangerous

Word History

Etymology

see danger entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dangerous was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Dangerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dangerous. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

dangerous

adjective
dan·​ger·​ous ˈdānj-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce dangerous (audio)
1
: exposing to or involving danger
a dangerous mission
2
: able or likely to cause injury
dangerous weapons
dangerously adverb
dangerousness noun

Legal Definition

dangerous

adjective
dan·​ger·​ous
1
: creating a risk of bodily injury
a dangerous condition of a public building
2
: able or likely to inflict especially serious bodily injury
a dangerous criminal with no regard for human life
a dangerous animal
also : deadly
3
: likely to engage in repeated criminal activity
a dangerous offender

Note: The activity that an offender is likely to engage in need not involve violence in order for the offender to be deemed dangerous.

More from Merriam-Webster on dangerous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!