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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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
Analysts warn that beyond crowded positioning and technical pullbacks, fundamental risks within the AI supply chain may also be emerging. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 States alleged that Meta’s internal research documented links between Instagram use and harms including depression, anxiety and body-image concerns among young people, while the company publicly minimized or concealed those risks. — Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
Urgent repair projects will be delayed, construction costs will multiply, and the visitor experience will inevitably decline as facilities fall into disrepair, risking the safety of millions of tourists and residents alike. — Lulu Vilas, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 This decision risks a reduction in the price dairy farmers receive for their cull cows and higher profits for foreign beef exporters, all for a potentially nominal decrease in the retail ground beef price. — Esme Murphy, CBS News, 25 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
  • However, the threat of taking California to the Supreme Court may be enough to bring the state’s AG Rob Bonta back to the bargaining table.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • For those who pursued advanced degrees in education, the threat of student loans was also a burden.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 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
  • Johnson said moving some of those funds would not endanger any ongoing projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Still, the trade war has compounded GOP concerns that the party is barreling toward November with a political weight on its back that could endanger Republicans’ prospects of holding on to their narrow majorities in the House and Senate.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 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
  • An 18-year-old North Carolina woman threatened to fabricate child molestation accusations if a man didn’t give her cash, according to police in Huntersville.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Trump has threatened to also double tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from Canada from 25% to 50%.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of threaten
Noun
  • The shadow default rate measures the percentage of cases where the terms of their loans are changed after the money has been borrowed, usually because the borrowing company has run into trouble.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Point Bennett hosts massive seal and sea lion colonies that can number well into the tens of thousands—well worth the trouble.
    — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 27 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on risk

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about risk

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