dangerous

This term evokes a sense of imminent risk or a latent threat that requires caution. It is a neutral descriptor of hazard, though it often triggers a feeling of anxiety or alertness in the listener. It applies equally to physical threats, like a jagged cliff, and abstract threats, like a volatile political situation.

While "risky" suggests a gamble where a positive outcome is possible, "dangerous" focuses almost exclusively on the potential for negative consequences. It is used in everything from formal safety warnings to casual warnings about a person's unpredictable temper.