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

Derived Forms

• ˈhazardously, adverb
• ˈhazardousness, noun

Other Words From

• hazard·ous·ly adverb
• hazard·ous·ness noun
• non·hazard·ous adjective
• non·hazard·ous·ly adverb
• non·hazard·ous·ness noun
• ultra·hazard·ous adjective
• un·hazard·ous adjective
• un·hazard·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hazardous¹

First recorded in 1570–80; hazard + -ous

Example Sentences

Delhi and nearby cities are experiencing pollution levels that are deemed hazardous to people's health.

From BBC

At the same time, monitoring by IQAir suggests the neighbouring cities of Gurugram and Noida had hazardous air pollution, as did the northern Indian city of Chandigarh.

From BBC

Hosting an Olympics and Paralympics, though not as complex or hazardous, nonetheless involves preparing dozens of stadiums and arenas, housing thousands of athletes and coordinating transportation throughout the region for a hectic two months.

From Los Angeles Times

Every year, Delhi and northern states battle hazardous air during the winter months of October to January due to plummeting temperatures, smoke, dust, low wind speed, vehicular emissions and crop stubble burning.

From BBC

Part of the historic legal case hinged on the interpretation of an "unwritten duty of care" that exists under Dutch law, which requires companies to prevent hazardous negligence.

From BBC

Related Words

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