Unsafe — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌən-ˈsāf/ un·safe

Meaning & Definition of Unsafe

Unsafe (adjective)

  1. not safe
  2. able or likely to cause harm, damage, or loss
  3. not giving protection from danger, harm, or loss

Unsafe (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. involving potential loss or injury

    "workers are forbidden from engaging in unsafe activities on company time"

    similar: dangerous, grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous, perilous, risky, serious, threatening, unhealthy, venturesome
    related: dicey, insecure, precarious, treacherous, uncertain, ultrahazardous, chance, haphazard, random, distressing, sickening, unpleasant, ugly, wicked, adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, inimical, injurious, malignant, nasty, noxious, pernicious, pestilent, deadly, deathly, destructive, dire, fatal, fateful, fell, killer, lethal, mortal, murderous
    opposite: harmless, innocent, innocuous, nonhazardous, nonthreatening, safe, unthreatening
    near: advantageous, beneficial, good, ultrasafe

  2. not paying or showing close attention especially for the purpose of avoiding trouble

    "people who have a record of being unsafe drivers usually have to pay higher insurance premiums"

    similar: careless, heedless, incautious, mindless, unguarded, unwary
    related: bold, impetuous, rash, reckless, inattentive, regardless, blithe, inconsiderate, thoughtless, absentminded, forgetful, unmindful, lax, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slipshod, imprudent, indiscreet, injudicious, inadvertent, unintentional, unplanned
    opposite: alert, cautious, circumspect, gingerly, guarded, heedful, safe, wary
    near: attentive, chary, observant, vigilant, watchful, foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, calculating, scheming, shrewd, considerate, thoughtful, ultracareful, ultracautious

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Unsafe

The most common words with a similar meaning to Unsafe:

dangerous, grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous, perilous, risky, serious, threatening, unhealthy, venturesome, careless, heedless, incautious, mindless, unguarded, unwary

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Unsafe

Words with the opposite meaning of Unsafe:

harmless, innocent, innocuous, nonhazardous, nonthreatening, safe, unthreatening, alert, cautious, circumspect, gingerly, guarded, heedful, wary

Related Words for Unsafe

dicey, insecure, precarious, treacherous, uncertain, ultrahazardous, chance, haphazard, random, distressing, sickening, unpleasant, ugly, wicked, adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, inimical, injurious, malignant, nasty, noxious, pernicious

Near Antonyms of Unsafe

advantageous, beneficial, good, ultrasafe, attentive, chary, observant, vigilant, watchful, foresighted, forethoughtful, provident, calculating, scheming, shrewd, considerate, thoughtful, ultracareful, ultracautious

Word Forms of Unsafe

Inflections: unsafer, unsafest

Origin & Etymology of Unsafe

First known use: 1597

Frequently Asked Questions about Unsafe

What does "Unsafe" mean?

"Unsafe" means not safe. As an adjective, it is defined as: not safe. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Unsafe"?

Other words for "Unsafe" include dangerous, grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous and perilous. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Unsafe" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Unsafe"?

There are 84 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Unsafe". Common alternatives include dangerous, grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous, perilous, risky and serious.

What is the opposite of "Unsafe"?

Antonyms of "Unsafe" include harmless, innocent, innocuous, nonhazardous, nonthreatening, safe, unthreatening and alert. Near antonyms include advantageous, beneficial, good and ultrasafe.

How do you use "Unsafe" in a sentence?

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".

Is "Unsafe" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Unsafe" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Unsafe"?

"Unsafe" is pronounced /ˌən-ˈsāf/ and divided into syllables as un·safe.

What is the origin of the word "Unsafe"?

First known use: 1597.