hazardous

[haz-er-duhs]

adjective

1. full of risk; perilous; risky.

   a hazardous journey.

   Synonyms: unsafe, dangerous
   Antonyms: secure, safe

2. dependent on chance.

   Synonyms: speculative, risky, uncertain, chancy
   Antonyms: sure, reliable, certain

hazardous

/ ˈhæzədəs /

adjective

1. involving great risk

2. depending on chance

Other Word Forms

• hazardously adverb
• hazardousness noun
• nonhazardous adjective
• nonhazardously adverb
• nonhazardousness noun
• ultrahazardous adjective
• unhazardous adjective
• unhazardously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hazardous¹

First recorded in 1570–80; hazard + -ous

Example Sentences

As Southern Californians swelter in a Labor Day weekend heat wave, forecasters are warning that one escape valve — the beaches — could be hazardous.

From Los Angeles Times

Temperatures will be on the rise in Los Angeles County throughout Labor Day weekend, prompting officials to warn of potentially hazardous temperatures.

From Los Angeles Times

Some are even in 1,000s, which the state classifies as hazardous waste.

From Los Angeles Times

Felling said he believed that a sudden power surge could cause some towers to become “electrified and potentially very hazardous.”

From Los Angeles Times

It's a hazardous business going against Manchester City as prospective champions but I feel there may be too much ground for Pep Guardiola and his team to make up.

From BBC

Related Words

• dicey 
• difficult 
• perilous 
• precarious 
• risky 
• uncertain 
• unhealthy 
• unsafe 
• unsound