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

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 hazardous Musk and his companies have faced numerous violations, lawsuits, fines and settlements in and out of California, including for air pollution at Tesla’s Fremont plant, workplace safety violations, labor practices and mishandling hazardous waste. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 Who knew this fun at-home manicure trend could be so hazardous? —

Melissa Willets, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024 The training scenarios in the VR world are used to train on situations that are too hazardous and difficult to train on in the real world. —

John Clemons, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Last week, Campbell said the sites would serve temporarily as staging for organic waste, such as trees and vegetation; construction and demolition materials; appliances and electronics; and household hazardous waste, like batteries, pesticides, paint and cleaning supplies. —

Sarah Honosky, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hazardous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hazardous

Adjective

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment regarding some advocates’ concerns that a second Trump term would be dangerous for transgender Americans.

Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
Even more dangerous is the possibility that a Ukrainian missile strike or territorial takeover could throw a storage site into operational chaos, allowing rogue actors to seize its nuclear warheads—or inadvertently prompt Russian nuclear escalation.

William M. Moon, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2024