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

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 dangerous Many theories persist as to what happened, whether Tony was killed or whether the cliffhanger insinuates that the mob boss would always live with the possibility of being murdered because of his dangerous profession. —

Skyler Trepel, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025 Epic aerial assault to protect homes in Brentwood, Encino as L.A. wildfire death toll rises Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said his crews were gearing up for another dangerous increase in winds that will, no doubt, cause further challenges for ongoing firefights. —

Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 This is a dangerous conflation and an insult to women who choose to cook. —

Mina Holland, Vogue, 11 Jan. 2025 The ongoing risk for new fires and additional fire growth will hinge on bouts of low humidity with gusty winds—and any additional Santa Ana wind events could prove dangerous in the coming weeks. —

Dennis Mersereau, WIRED, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dangerous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dangerous

Adjective

After the Marshall Fire, hazardous gases associated with the wildfire smoke, such as benzene and naphthalene, could be detected in homes downwind of the fire long after the burns were put out.

— Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
Cold weather and hazardous travel conditions may lead to a smaller turnout for Trump's inauguration weekend.

— David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025