hazardous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "hazardous" is perfectly correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is dangerous or involves risk. For example, "Driving in icy conditions can be hazardous".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has become the surprise choice for this year's Nobel peace prize, a decision the Oslo committee said recognised both its current, hazardous mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stocks and 16 years of wider global efforts.

The Guardian

As it does not involve search and rescue missions it will not be covered by British government policy which regards the rescue of desperate migrants as only encouraging others to make the hazardous journey.

The Guardian

While better-educated men in the UK are also more likely to drink a hazardous amount (defined as a weekly consumption of 21 units or more for men, or 14 or more for women) than their less-educated counterparts, the difference is much more pronounced for women.

The Guardian

Taking out a foreign currency mortgage can be a hazardous business, but for the right people in the right situation, they can work.

The Guardian - Money

A powerful storm system that spread hazardous snow, sleet and freezing rain widely across the midsection of the US rumbled towards the densely populated eastern seaboard on Sunday, promising more of the same.

The Guardian

Since its launch last month, Operation Infra-Terra has raised the profile of Interpol's environmental crimes unit, which focuses on illegal exploitation of the world's flora and fauna, and hazardous waste dumping.

The Guardian

The inquiry by the Planning Inspectorate will hear an appeal by Augean, a hazardous waste specialist company, which wants to put rubble, soil and other low-radioactive waste – mostly from nuclear power stations – into a landfill site near Peterborough, Northamptonshire.

The Guardian

Abortion is rarely legal, leaving them with the hazardous choice of unsafe abortion as only contraception method.

The Guardian

However approaching campaigners to become informers can - for the police - be hazardous, as this article examines.

The Guardian

He accuses politicians and local administrators of "regularising environmental violations by builders", and of stalling the release of a contour map that would demarcate high-tide zones where construction would be hazardous.

The Guardian

The rescue mission was cancelled in the early hours of Wednesday because of hazardous weather conditions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation or substance, specify the type of hazard involved to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "the area is hazardous", specify "the area is hazardous due to chemical spills".

Common error

Avoid using "hazardous" as a generic descriptor for anything slightly negative. Reserve it for situations or items that genuinely pose a significant risk of harm or danger. For minor inconveniences, consider using less alarming words like "difficult" or "problematic".

Linguistic Context

The word "hazardous" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that poses a risk or danger. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing potentially harmful situations, substances, or activities, as showcased in multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "hazardous" effectively conveys the presence of risk or danger. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, business, and science. When using "hazardous", it is best to specify the nature of the hazard for clarity. Alternatives such as "dangerous" or "risky" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It's important to reserve this word for situations that genuinely pose a threat of harm, and avoid overusing it in general descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dangerous

A direct synonym, emphasizing the potential for harm.

risky

Focuses on the probability of negative outcomes or failure.

perilous

Implies a more severe and immediate threat than "hazardous".

unsafe

Highlights the lack of security or protection.

precarious

Suggests instability and a high likelihood of collapse or failure.

threatening

Indicates a potential source of danger or harm.

harmful

Emphasizes the capacity to cause damage or injury.

detrimental

Focuses on the negative impact or consequences.

injurious

Stresses the potential to cause physical harm or damage.

unhealthy

Related to negative impact on human health.

FAQs

How can I use "hazardous" in a sentence?

You can use "hazardous" to describe situations, substances, or activities that pose a risk of harm. For example, "Driving in icy conditions is hazardous", or "This chemical is considered hazardous waste".

What words can I use instead of "hazardous"?

You can use alternatives like "dangerous", "risky", or "perilous" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "potentially hazardous"?

Yes, "potentially hazardous" is correct. It emphasizes that something has the possibility of becoming hazardous, even if it isn't currently causing harm.

What's the difference between "hazardous" and "dangerous"?

While similar, "hazardous" often implies a longer-term or less immediately obvious risk, while "dangerous" suggests a more immediate and apparent threat.