DANGEROUS Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'dangerous' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of dangerous are hazardous , perilous , precarious , and risky . While all these words 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

Q: When could 'hazardous' be used to replace 'dangerous'?

The meanings of hazardous and dangerous largely overlap; however, hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure. // claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

Q: When can 'perilous' be used instead of 'dangerous'?

The synonyms perilous and dangerous are sometimes interchangeable, but perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger. // perilous mountain roads

Q: When might 'precarious' be a better fit than 'dangerous'?

In some situations, the words precarious and dangerous are roughly equivalent. However, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty. // earned a precarious living by gambling

Q: When is it sensible to use 'risky' instead of 'dangerous'?

The words risky and dangerous can be used in similar contexts, but risky often applies to a known and accepted danger. // shied away from risky investments

dangerous

adjective

ˈdān-jə-rəs

Definition of dangerous next

as in hazardous

involving potential loss or injury the soldiers were specially selected to go on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in harmful

causing or capable of causing harm the common knowledge that smoking is dangerous to one's health hasn't stopped some people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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a dangerous situation

an unsafe situation

a hazardous situation

a risky situation

a scary situation

a serious situation

dangerous precedent

troublesome precedent

perilous precedent

awful precedent

unhealthy precedent

horrible precedent

dangerous levels

unhealthy levels

risky levels

toxic levels

deadly levels

hazardous levels

a dangerous enemy

a powerful enemy

a deadly enemy

a potent enemy

a wicked enemy

a threatening enemy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dangerous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of dangerous are hazardous, perilous, precarious, and risky. While all these words 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

When could hazardous be used to replace dangerous?

The meanings of hazardous and dangerous largely overlap; however, hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When can perilous be used instead of dangerous?

The synonyms perilous and dangerous are sometimes interchangeable, but perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

When might precarious be a better fit than dangerous?

In some situations, the words precarious and dangerous are roughly equivalent. However, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

When is it sensible to use risky instead of dangerous?

The words risky and dangerous can be used in similar contexts, but 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 dangerous Fishburne was shouty, physical, seething, wired and dangerous. —

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025 Those dangerous factors came together in 1998, when more than 500,000 acres were scorched and 150 structures lost after wildfires swept throughout the central and eastern part of the state from May into July. —

Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025 Although pollutants released by any wildfire are considered harmful, urban wildfires are especially dangerous. —

Ben Poston, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2025 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 See all Example Sentences for dangerous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangerous

Adjective

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
Very strong winds will create hazardous conditions with blowing and drifting snow.

— Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025