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 At least 100 people were evacuated from unsafe conditions by urban search and rescue teams, Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. Alexandra Banner, CNN, 19 Aug. 2024 The walk back to their car felt extremely unsafe as an intense wind storm broke out. Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2024 The students, who filed the suit anonymously, accused Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., of helping create an unsafe environment on campus. Ray Lewis, Baltimore Sun, 7 Aug. 2024 One survivor, Chase Yarborough, still has parts of a projectile stuck in his heart, as well as a bullet in his head doctors said was unsafe to remove, according to his attorney, Sherry Scott Chandler. Andy Rose, CNN, 17 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsafe 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsafe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 Sep. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsafe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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