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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Given the risk of punishment or even execution, some contributions are anonymized or voices altered. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026 Breast milk and raw milk are not the same—breast milk is uniquely designed for human babies, while raw milk from animals can pose serious health risks. — Parents, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
Despite its admirable goal — making highly effective treatments more affordable — the program risks doing the opposite by creating a complex, burdensome process that could limit access in practice. — Jeffrey Millstein, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026 Owners now face the tough decision of raising prices and risking losing customers, or absorbing higher costs and sacrificing profits. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 11 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
  • All three Cabinet members were aware that Trump had secretly switched from the old Air Force One jet to the military aircraft given the threat, sources said.
    — Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Automated systems now make decisions and respond to threats at increasingly high speeds.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • Swimming in the Seine was officially banned in 1923 amid pollution and the dangers of river traffic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Fire danger continues in the Pacific Northwest Saturday as flame-fueling winds reached their strongest point in days on Friday, challenging fire crews battling to keep destructive blazes from spreading in Spokane, Washington, and across the region.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of danger
Verb
  • Others transformed astronomy, revealed hidden worlds across the Solar System, or even ventured beyond the Sun’s influence.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Fewer tourists tend to venture here, but the museum is well worth the detour.
    — CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of venture
Verb
  • They have both been charged with four counts of abandoning or endangering a child.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Kendra Duggar, 27, and Joseph Duggar, 31, were both charged on March 20 with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of false imprisonment after an investigation, according to a release from local police.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of endanger
Noun
  • But given how poorly that series capper went over, her chances of winning a third Emmy are in some jeopardy.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The end of the Acacia contract on July 31 threw that access further into jeopardy.
    — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 6 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
  • With funding now threatened, Duncan fears that programs serving underserved schools could be cut, saying that the money is invaluable to Los Angeles.
    — Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Their escalating ambitions threaten to tear the community apart.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of threaten
Noun
  • The little device that could cause big trouble Federal investigators are looking into mini computer devices commonly used by water utilities and other organizations.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Shipyard capacity troubles Money isn’t the only variable in the battleship plan.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on risk

Nglish: Translation of risk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about risk

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