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

The company, accused of mishandling hazardous waste at its retail locations, will pay nearly $78,000 to Sacramento County and to several California cities and counties.

From Los Angeles Times

Whether cleanup work at hazardous waste areas known as Superfund sites will continue will be decided case by case.

From Los Angeles Times

One former council member is facing federal charges of transporting hazardous waste.

From Los Angeles Times

On Jan. 16, the Environmental Protection Agency deployed its first teams to assess the damage and presence of hazardous materials.

From Los Angeles Times

The former Berkeley activist has caught a new mood in Irvine, instituting child care, banning chlorofluorocarbons and regulating hazardous materials.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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