unsafe

adjective

un·​safe ˌən-ˈsāf How to pronounce unsafe (audio)
unsafer; unsafest
: 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.
In an effort to sell more tickets, the NFL approved the addition of 13,000 temporary seats in the end zones, but approximately 1,250 were deemed unsafe by inspectors. Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025 While this is higher than the national rate and could cause concern among air travelers, aviation experts say the numbers don't indicate flying is unsafe. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025 American Truckers United is focused on bringing state and hopefully federal legislation to stop these unsafe practices and bring dignity back to the trucking industry. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025 Turning her spa into a pre-NYFW destination, Marc first started her career as a way to treat her own skin, including hyperpigmentation which disproportionately affects darker skin tones, and laser hair removal which is often unsafe (if the wrong laser is used) to perform on our tones. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 30 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near unsafe

Cite this Entry

“Unsafe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsafe. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsafe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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