A music video for "Safeword", directed by Lana Jay Lackey, premiered on the same date; it stars Halsey portraying a dominatrix wearing various latex outfits.

[2] Musically, "Safeword" is a punk rock[6][7][8] and pop-punk[9] track, led by a distorted guitar-driven beat and a fast rhythm.

[10] Ilana Kaplan of People described its sound as "Ramones-meets-Bikini Kill",[11] Stephen Daw of Billboard compared it to Bratmobile,[8] and Abby Jones of Stereogum said that it was similar to the styles of riot grrrl and Kathleen Hanna.

[8] Daw included "Safeword" on a list of the best queer songs of its release week, and believed that it boosted the "chameleonic approach" of The Great Impersonator to "new levels".

[8] Derrick Rossignol from Uproxx dubbed "Safeword" part of the best music of its release week and said that it depicts Halsey "at her most provocative".

[11] Halsey performed "Safeword" live for the first time at the Sips and Sounds Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 7, 2025.