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

The riskier side of X operates in the vein of Backpage.com, where creators use the app to promote their work, engage with fans, and find gigs. —Jason Parham, WIRED, 9 Dec. 2024

Market timing is a risky game and often a fool’s errand. —Ron Insana, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024

This is the time to embrace avant-garde styles, mix unexpected textures and experiment with daring color palettes that might have once felt too risky. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024

No one knows how to demonstrate tenacity better than Campbell, who has a reputation for making risky decisions that pay off. —John Baldoni, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing risky

• risky business
• risky move

Kids Definition

risky

adjective

ˈris-kē 

riskier; riskiest

: having or bringing risk : dangerous