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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in endangers

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 risks

Noun

When social media constantly reminds us there’s another metric to optimize, healthy self-improvement risks fueling self-criticism and anxiety around our bodies, health and self-image. — Jennifer Donnelly, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026 The groups accuse the company of not disclosing all chemicals emitted during the fire, posing health risks for local residents. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Investors now prioritize solutions that deliver measurable financial benefits, ensuring hotels can withstand future risks. — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 His allies argue Iran risks overplaying its hand by continuing the war as its economy suffers. — Lee Keath, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Nepal’s foreign minister told a press conference today that the country remained on high alert for fresh flooding risks. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Platforms regularly used by children would be required to assess and report on the risks their networks posed, Luxon said. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 This fall, make sure one of those conversations is about sports prediction markets and the risks of conflating gambling with investing. — Emily Stack, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 But with that slice of luck came a sudden outburst of responsibility from Brook, who then scored at almost a run a ball but did so sensibly and without taking any undue risks. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

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 Any increase to interest rates that could cool inflation also risks hurting the jobs market. — Damian J. Troise, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The two sides were also in touch on monitoring a barrier lake that risks flooding and imperiling rescue workers. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Investors are also betting on a future DeepSeek listing in the mainland, said Wayne Shiong, managing partner at Argo Venture Partners, as the startup risks an exodus of senior engineers without financial incentives to stay. — Anniek Bao,elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images If not, the NBA risks losing an incredible feature in its repertoire. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 26 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 Without that infrastructure, the region risks defaulting to the bilateral agreements that stalled cross-border electronic signature recognition in Latin America for more than a decade. — Aaron Stanley, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Mohammed Zahidullah, chief sustainability officer at DBL Group, warned that Bangladesh risks losing orders to competitors including India, Pakistan and Vietnam as those sourcing markets move more quickly to adopt renewable energy. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for risks

Noun

In addition, the 14-year-old was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Leaders of two commands, one overseeing the nuclear arsenal and the other focused on cyber threats, declined all three options, asking to maintain the full program.

— Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of threats

Verb

But the department has been running into opposition by landowners, environmental groups, Native American tribes and others who argue that the rapid construction endangers environmental and religious sites and a way of life along the border.

— Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Refusing to do so, Luis stirs a rivalry and potentially endangers his own employment.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2026

Definition of endangers

Noun

The letter adds to a growing chorus of warnings about the dangers associated with advanced AI and comes shortly after a series of high-profile incidents in which flagship models tested by Anthropic and OpenAI breached testing safeguards.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
New research about the dangers of CTE in football brought out new concerns from parents about the dangers of playing football.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of dangers

Verb

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
The strongest moments come when Grande ventures into less familiar territory.

— Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026

Definition of ventures

Verb

Marie’s secret past threatens to catch up with her, and she is forced to do everything in her power to preserve her new status as lady of the house in post-war anarchy.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, a memory chip shortage threatens to squeeze its margins, its revenue growth is slowing, and even longtime Apple fans admit the maker of aspirational tech has lost some of its product design mojo.

— Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of threatens

Verb

As Leanne confronts more change in Season 2, like turning 60 and coming to terms with aging parents that require more care, Carol remains a blunt support system.

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
The song is written as a conversation with that mythic other woman, who Parton confronts here in a way that manages to come across as both extremely vulnerable and drawing on a huge reserve of strength.

— Ed Masley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of confronts

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risking

risks

risky

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“Risks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risks. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of risks

noun

verb

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