risky

adjective

ˈri-skē 

riskier; riskiest

: attended with risk or danger : hazardous

riskiness noun

Synonyms

• dangerous
• grave
• grievous
• hazardous
• jeopardizing
• menacing
• parlous
• perilous
• serious
• threatening
• unhealthy
• unsafe
• venturesome

Choose the Right Synonym for risky

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury.

dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples of risky in a Sentence

Her plan is too risky.

Recent Examples on the Web

Boeing's troubles continued for much of 2024, as its Starliner spacecraft was deemed too risky to carry astronauts home from the International Space Station. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025

Risk for People With Sleep Apnea Mouth taping can be risky for people with sleep apnea. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025

Preserve & Grow Wealth with Risk-Focused Quality Portfolios While UNH stock looks promising, investing in a single stock can be risky. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

Alcaraz has obvious potential and buying him would not break the bank, but Mangala’s unfortunate injury makes re-signing him too risky. —Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing risky

• risky business
• risky move

Rhymes for risky

• frisky
• whiskey
• whisky

Kids Definition

risky

adjective

ˈris-kē 

riskier; riskiest

: having or bringing risk : dangerous