RISKS Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

risks 1 of 2

noun

plural of risk

as in threats

something that may cause injury or harm mountain climbing is a risk, but the thrill and challenge are worth it

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risks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of risk

as in hazards

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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as in endangers

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

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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 risks

Noun

Qualifying risks must involve more than $1 billion in damages or the deaths or serious injuries of over 50 people. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 Commercial incentives persist Koh said shipping companies around the world have continued looking for opportunities to navigate the Strait since the conflict erupted, with some operators prepared to accept higher risks and costs. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Very little cadmium is absorbed through the skin; ingestion and inhalation pose greater risks. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 Expenses related to wildfire risks have led to more than $4 billion in additional interest spending, according to the corporation, which customers will pay for. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Washington, for its part, is creating friction in many of its partnerships instead of deepening them, and risks squandering its network just as its adversaries are learning to make more of theirs. — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026 And while the opportunity is clear and few doubt the UAE government’s ability to execute, the territory is still subject to the same risks affecting the region. — semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Hundreds of flights have been canceled as airlines suspend service and European aviation officials warn of heightened risks from missiles, drones and air-defense activity. — Sally Abou Aljoud, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 But to give me the room to take certain risks and bring in ideas on top of that is a whole other thing. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Verb

If the person holding key intellectual property or leading the company risks losing status, immigration planning ceases to be a personal ordeal. — Bernardo Saraiva, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 But even if the Election Commission is not systematically targeting voters based on their identity or their political preferences, the exercise still risks disenfranchising millions through sheer ineptitude. — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 The outlet further suggests that a choice must be made, or else Eugenie risks the possibility of losing all her royal connections. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 Oct. 2026 Far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen on Tuesday pledged huge spending cuts to get debt under control, warning that France ultimately risks defaulting on its debt. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 Another response has been to lower fuel quality standards to maintain gasoline supplies, which risks damage to engines and pollution control equipment. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 Leaking out after an opponent’s shot attempt risks a higher chance of giving up second-chance points. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026 That seemingly sound advice from the master of the field now risks backfiring, Doctorow argued. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026 But his rejection Saturday risks a return to fighting that would drive oil prices higher. — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for risks

Noun

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
The papers are said to have contained highly sensitive information, some likely supplied by Germany’s intelligence partners – so the affair could have serious international ramifications at a time when Europe is facing grave security threats.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of threats

Verb

This spews pollution into the air and endangers workers and surrounding neighborhoods.

— Micheline Maynard, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Our leaders should retire a relic that endangers people and animals alike, and retire, once and for all, the small and nasty politics used to defend it.

— Al Sharpton, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of endangers

Noun

According to the Cleveland Clinic, among the dangers of vaping are addiction to nicotine, asthma, cancer, lung scarring, coughing, shortness of breath and a dry/irritated mouth and throat.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026
Doing so is not only a matter of altruism; the United States itself will have to grapple with migrants fleeing failing states, pandemics, and the dangers of climate change.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangers

Verb

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
That distortion should gradually alter S301's orbit — because the star ventures so close to Sagittarius A*, those changes may become measurable within about a decade.

— Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of ventures

Verb

At least 19 people have been killed, school classes have been canceled, and the disruption threatens the kingdom's ambitious plans to transform itself into a global hub for business, tourism and sports.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
At the same time, the debt burden is being increasingly exposed to market volatility that threatens to make interest costs even steeper.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of threatens

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risking

risks

risky

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Style

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

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Synonyms of risks

noun

verb

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