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.
At the time of the recall, the FDA, which is charged with protecting Americans from unsafe drugs, was already on notice about troubles at Glenmark. Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024 The letter requested a formal investigation into the flights, clear communication to officials and an implementation of preventative measures to tackle unsafe drone operations. Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024 However, the rise of light electric vehicles also comes with an alarming uptick in deadly fires sparked by unsafe lithium-ion batteries. Jennifer Jacobs Dungs, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Among the requests, the group asked the president to prioritize redesignating and extending Temporary Protected Status for all eligible countries, which allows migrants from countries experiencing unsafe conditions to legally reside in the U.S. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2024 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 25 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsafe

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!