risk

1 of 2

noun

1
: possibility of loss or injury : peril
2
: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard
3
a
: the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract
also : the degree of probability of such loss
b
: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
c
: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
war risk
4
: the chance that an investment (such as a stock or commodity) will lose value
riskless adjective

risk

2 of 2

verb

risked; risking; risks

transitive verb

1
: to expose to hazard or danger
risked her life
2
: to incur the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck
risker noun
Phrases
at risk
: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility
patients at risk of infection
usually hyphenated when used before a noun
programs to support at-risk youth

Examples of risk in a Sentence

Noun I prefer not to expose my money to too much risk. The degree of risk is minimal. All investments have an element of risk. The trip didn't seem like much of a risk. I'm aware of the risks associated with this treatment. There is a risk of liver damage with this medication. Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the risk of injury or death in a car accident. We feel that this product presents a significant risk to public health. To me, skydiving is not worth the risk. Smoking is a risk to your lungs. Verb She risked her life to save her children. He risked all his money on starting his own business. He risked breaking his neck. She's risking being considered too sentimental. The country risked a war. brave people who risked being killed to help others I'm not willing to risk getting lost. I'm going to buy a map. The company is risking the loss of millions of dollars. It's not wise to risk traveling so soon after surgery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
It’s intended to reduce the risk of illness for vulnerable populations and prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed. Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 2 Nov. 2024 But as popular apps have moved toward an emphasis on visual media, experts say the risk users face surrounding disordered practices has changed. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Those who wait to consider how the constraints and opportunities are shifting in this new geography may risk losing more than their good names. The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 This is a woman on the phone, and on the go, risking neck pain, back knots, and bad Buckaroo jokes to get stuff sorted. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for risk 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'risk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French risque, from Italian risco

First Known Use

Noun

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of risk was in 1621

Dictionary Entries Near risk

Cite this Entry

“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risk. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

risk

1 of 2 noun
1
: possibility of loss or injury
2
: someone or something that presents a risk
a bad risk
a good credit risk

risk

2 of 2 verb
1
: to expose to danger
risked her life
2
: to take the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck

Medical Definition

risk

noun
1
: possibility of loss, injury, disease, or death
hypertension increases the risk of stroke
2
: a person considered in terms of the possible bad effects of a particular course of treatment
a poor surgical risk

Legal Definition

risk

noun
1
a
: possibility of loss or injury
b
: liability for loss or injury if it occurs
the risk of loss passes to the buyer when the goods are duly delivered to the carrierUniform Commercial Code
the risk of personal injury and property damage should be placed with the manufacturer rather than the consumerCase & Comment
2
a
: the chance of loss to the subject matter of an insurance contract : uncertainty with regard to loss
also : the degree of probability of such loss compare peril
b
: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
a poor risk for insurance
c
: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
a war risk
riskless adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on risk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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