at risk

phrase

Synonyms of at risknext
: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility
patients at risk of infection
—usually hyphenated when used before a noun
programs to support at-risk youth

Examples of at risk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
People at risk of being displaced, officials say Without the appeal, Open Doors would have to close there, and people would end up back on the street, Decker said. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026 Burdi, who doesn’t specialize in knees, said rushing Dart back too soon could put his career at risk. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 In his comments in Brussels, Zelenskyy said the operation of Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink, had improved but was not yet fully restored, adding the disruption placed civilians at risk. — Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026 If the Lakers can’t pull off a deal, forward Dalton Knecht could be at risk of being waived. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at risk

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at risk was in 1796

Rhymes for at risk

See All Rhymes for at risk

Browse Nearby Words

Atriplex
at risk
atrium
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20risk. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on at risk

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for at risk

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All