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

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 hazardous While primary weather hazards are expected to be associated with freezing rain, areas of New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont, among others, could see multiple inches of snow, causing hazardous driving conditions and flight cancellations. —

Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025 Many of these items are not hazardous in small amounts. —

Uma Raja, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025 Sandstorms whip up hazardous lightning storms that darken the skies and rain electrical mayhem onto the dunes. —

Gabriel Zamora, PCMAG, 6 Feb. 2025 Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: Heavy rain prompts traffic warning on eastbound K-10 in Olathe A traffic advisory has been issued for hazardous driving conditions attributed to heavy rain on K-10 from South Woodland Street to Ridgeview Road. —

Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hazardous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hazardous

Adjective

This amount can weigh down trees and power lines — causing power outages — and make travel dangerous to borderline impossible.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
This feeds into Newcastle’s 2-0 advantage which, as another cliche tells us, is the most dangerous lead in football.

— George Caulkin, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025