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
Other advantages of what Belkin is calling its BoostSolid Cell technology include a reduced risk of overheating that could cause swelling or fires and consistent power delivery across a wider temperature range. — Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026 People with chronic or underlying health issues, including asthma and diabetes, are also at higher risk. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
The penalties are a key point because, though the judge could clear the players to be eligible, a school may still be reluctant to risk being penalized by the conference. — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Heller’s 2012 post-apocalyptic novel centers on Hig, a pilot who risks everything in the hope of finding human connection. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 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
  • This is a historically fragmented industry, with different vendors for different kinds of services, such as firewall, threat detection, and identity.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Meteorologists said the majority of model guidance does not indicate a credible hurricane threat to California during the second week of September.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • The same goes for Brooks–who obviously was in no danger of being cut.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Read more on the rising dangers of living downstream from a glacier here.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of danger
Verb
  • Beyond the conventional routes lie some of the world’s most striking volcanic highlands, black-sand beaches, and untamed wilderness—landscapes that reward those willing to venture farther afield.
    — Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Orlando Bloom stars as a village blacksmith who ventures to Jerusalem with his dad (Liam Neeson) to defend the holy city.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of venture
Verb
  • Mandating malnutrition reporting could increase the need for dietitians in already understaffed hospitals, or create overwhelming caseloads that could endanger patients and heighten the risk of RD burnout.
    — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The possibility that the shooter endangered thousands of people at the rally is also an important distinction under Utah law.
    — Bill Chappell, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of endanger
Noun
  • Nate Thomas now is in serious jeopardy of not making the team along with fourth-round rookie Drew Shelton, although Shelton will have the benefit of the team rarely parting ways with rookies drafted in the top four rounds.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
  • If the purchase of the Pierre were to go through, Lutnick could get as much as $100 million for the penthouse, even as his neighbors were forced to sell and hundreds of hotel staffers’ jobs were put in jeopardy.
    — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of jeopardy
Verb
  • That hazards statement originally had been in place through early Wednesday morning.
    — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 15 June 2026
  • Few would hazard a guess at what the world of technology will look like when VivaTech celebrates its 20th birthday.
    — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Definition of hazard
Verb
  • Continue reading … PARTY FOUL — Jeffries threatens consequences after Dem mutiny helps move anti-socialism bill.
    — , FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • As part of the new guidance message, DHS threatened universities with legal consequences — including the revocation of their permission to enroll international students.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of threaten
Noun
  • The trouble was a bacterial abscess on the child’s neck, swollen, red, warm to the touch, about the size of a ping-pong ball, large enough to force the head into a tilt.
    — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
  • At least five people died and dozens more were feared dead after a boat carrying West African migrants ran into trouble in the Atlantic Ocean.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on risk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about risk

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