Definition of wagernext
as in stake
the money or thing risked on the outcome of an uncertain event lost her wager when the horse dropped out of the race

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wager

2 of 2

verb

as in to bet
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event wagered 20 dollars that his favorite team would win

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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 wager
Noun
The Air Force’s longer wager is that the discipline required to reach the Olympics will remain valuable after the competition ends and a different kind of service begins. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 That sort of scratch get you a Durango Hellcat and a half these days, I’d wager. Byron Hurd, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
Los Angeles County election officials are examining steps ahead of the November midterms to respond to the rising popularity of election trading via prediction markets, including a possible ban on wagering for county election workers. Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 The function’s creator, Bernhard Riemann, wagered that the only way to make that output sum to exactly zero is to make the input variable’s real part exactly 1⁄2. Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wager
Noun
  • Whether in the form of comedy or drama, these stories come with their stakes already built in.
    Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Many important details remain unclear, including the identity of the private operator, who will cover necessary investments and how America’s stake in the company breaks down.
    Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The betting odds for that being the case would’ve been very low when training camp began.
    Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Two federal courts of appeals have now issued conflicting decisions on whether federal law preempts states from enforcing their sports betting laws against Kalshi and other prediction-market operators.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Costco is an awkward exhibit for putting shareholder-value maximization in the driver’s seat.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Espada is paid to put it in favorable positions, even when few seem to exist.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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