unsafe

adjective

un·​safe ˌən-ˈsāf How to pronounce unsafe (audio)
unsafer; unsafest
Synonyms of unsafenext
: 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.
Decades of sewage discharge and industrial pollution followed, leaving much of the harbor unsafe. Logan Hall, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026 Sevens told the outlet that the facilities were being shut due to being outdated and unsafe. Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026 That week-plus stretched into nine months due to thruster problems aboard Starliner that NASA concluded made the ship unsafe for crews. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 2 Jan. 2026 Since the video was posted, Hasan, who is Somali, said his center has received harassing phone calls making staff members and parents feel unsafe. Charlotte Kramon, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsafe. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsafe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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