1
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm
mountain climbing is a risk, but the thrill and challenge are worth it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in danger
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil
children living in poverty are considered at risk for a number of medical and developmental problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to venture
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
2
as in to endanger
to place in danger
we refuse to risk our life savings on this investment scheme
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 risk
Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
And yet, many still choose to take the risk to come to this country in search of safety and opportunity.
—Sam Wolson, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
The young man risked beatings that would end in summary execution for sneaking in extra food to prisoners who were supposed to be the empire’s work-and-starve-to-death slaves.
—Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for risk
Noun
The lawsuit was filed days after state Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, said a legal challenge pending before Kentucky's Supreme Court over a bill passed by state legislators three years ago could also put the merger at risk.
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
And yet, many still choose to take the risk to come to this country in search of safety and opportunity.
—Sam Wolson, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
When data quality suffers, organizations risk losing their strategic edge, and recent changes to U.S. statistical agencies have raised red flags among top economists.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
The young man risked beatings that would end in summary execution for sneaking in extra food to prisoners who were supposed to be the empire’s work-and-starve-to-death slaves.
—Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for risk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risk
Noun
-
Beyond that, Erin may be pushed into a turn to the north — but where and when that happens will determine its threat to Florida or other parts of the eastern seaboard.—
David Schutz,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Prior to his legal threats against Apple, Musk had celebrated Grok surpassing Google as the fifth top free app on the App Store.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The real danger is the undermining of one of the last great advantages the United States had over many of its competitors: policy stability.—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Federal scientists say climate change is causing the glacier to melt faster, along with altering rainfall patterns, exacerbating the danger.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Here are suggestions for staying safe during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Aug. 2025
-
As a rookie, the 2024 fourth-round pick ventured inside or in motion at times but took most of his snaps from the perimeter.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The wood stork was once endangered with only 5,000 nesting pairs in the United States in the 1970s, but as of 2023 that had grown to more than 11,000 nesting pairs, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Filed in 2023, the lawsuit comes from a group of Tennessee women who say their lives were endangered after they were denied emergency abortions under the state’s ban.—
Kelly Puente,
Nashville Tennessean,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Seven universities have been explicitly notified that their funding is in serious jeopardy or have already faced punitive cuts, according to The New York Times, which reported that Harvard University faces approximately $9 billion at stake and has received a list of federal demands.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
-
One immediate jeopardy incident did result in a punishment, but only because the hospital was in California, which allows its health department to issue penalties.—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
Coming five years after similar fall hazards fines for The Salvation Army of Mercer County in Princeton, West Virginia, OSHA proposed hitting The Salvation Army with an $82,750 fine for a Repeat-Serious violation.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2025
-
He is charged with conspiracy, attacking civilians, murder in violation of the law or war, terrorism, hijacking or hazarding a vessel or aircraft and intentionally causing serious bodily injury.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
But a rash of injuries threaten their strong start to the 2024 season and raise serious concerns about the challenging road ahead.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The record-setting donation comes as the Trump administration has frozen or threatened to pull funding from prestigious universities around the U.S. over antisemitism allegations and opposition to the universities’ diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Just like any other business, rental housing has to at least pay for itself, and if those costs exceed rent collections, like any other business, a housing project will be in trouble.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The only trouble is finding the right one, as not all fragrance houses make them.—
Dan Michel,
Robb Report,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risk. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share