risk 1 of 2

noun

ˈrisk How to pronounce risk (audio)
Definition of risknext
1
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm mountain climbing is a risk, but the thrill and challenge are worth it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in danger
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil children living in poverty are considered at risk for a number of medical and developmental problems

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risk

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to venture
to take a chance on Colette didn't want to risk running out of food for her party, so she bought twice what she thought she would actually need

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2
as in to endanger
to place in danger we refuse to risk our life savings on this investment scheme

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of risk
Noun
Brumel said that the largest studies looking at the risk of misdiagnosis have shown that between 15% and 20% of patients diagnosed with MS are found to not actually have the condition. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Even where mold has been detected, brewing dilutes the concentration and lowers any health risk. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
Some of them don’t want to leave their homes or risk a dangerous journey, Voronetskyi said. — Yuras Karmanau, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026 High energy costs, coupled with record exits of foreign investors from its capital markets due to risk aversion and the lack of artificial intelligence play, have kept the rupee under pressure. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for risk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risk
  1. threat
  2. danger
  3. venture
  4. endanger
  5. jeopardy
  6. hazard
  7. threaten
  8. trouble
Noun
  • In contrast to other Gulf monarchies, especially Saudi Arabia, Qatar sees no threat in the Muslim Brotherhood, the political movement that spawned Hamas.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • In other words, the biggest threats on the horizon might not be the Vatican or their local dioceses as much as time and money.
    — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • The primary danger of these apps is not the fees associated with using just one, Feltner noted.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Schools already rehearse fire drills and lockdown drills for dangers that are statistically rare.
    — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of danger
Verb
  • Motorists, fed up with the second malfunction of the week, got out of their cars and lifted the arms so others could drive under, either venturing into or out of the Folsom Boulevard commuter traffic.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But Blue Nile has since ventured into the real world, too, with showrooms across the country.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of venture
Verb
  • The money will go to conservation groups and local partners working on species the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies as endangered, critically endangered, or extinct in the wild.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Delron Pickens, of Independence, was charged with one count of vehicle hijacking and one count of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child in Jackson County Circuit Court on Sunday.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of endanger
Noun
  • Yet decisions that could contribute to anything from an individual suicide to large-scale cyberattacks and geopolitical destabilization are made without personal legal jeopardy.
    — Giorgos Tsetis, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The Chase Around the World does just that, taking a tried-and-tested, colossally successful format and an additional bit of jeopardy, with firm potential for international sales.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of jeopardy
Verb
  • Scholars hazarded theories as to how an unschooled middle-aged Black woman from the South could brush with genius.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • That hazards statement originally had been in place through early Wednesday morning.
    — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 15 June 2026
Definition of hazard
Verb
  • Last year, a Senatobia officer threatened a Black woman with a Taser, pulling her from her car and onto the ground and arresting her during a confrontation over an accessible parking space in the same Walmart lot where Kohen was shot.
    — SOPHIE BATES, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The bank still calls Nvidia the sector’s best risk-reward opportunity but warns that financing pressures, power shortages, and concentrated customers could threaten the buildout.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of threaten
Noun
  • And set yourself up for a trouble-free voting experience by checking your registration and voting location before heading to the polls.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026
  • With DraftKings available in all 50 states, the campaign revolves around Hart and Jonas traveling throughout the country, where car troubles can happen.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of trouble

Phrases Containing risk

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rising (to)
risk
risked
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Cite this Entry

“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risk. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about risk

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