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
Leslie Picker, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
There is a high risk or life-threatening rip currents at Central Florida Atlantic beaches.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Second and subsequent offenses face a $500 fine, and repeat offenders risk having their licenses suspended or revoked.
—John Dias, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for risk
Noun
Headline fears about default risk in the sector have driven a small but wealthy group of institutional investors to seek the exits from many of these funds.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
There is a high risk or life-threatening rip currents at Central Florida Atlantic beaches.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Governor Gavin Newsom cannot effectively intervene to pressure candidates to drop out without risking significant political damage, including potential embarrassment if his efforts fail and potentially alienating voters of color whose prominent candidates would likely be targets for exit.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Second and subsequent offenses face a $500 fine, and repeat offenders risk having their licenses suspended or revoked.
—John Dias, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for risk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risk
Noun
-
The Administration’s treatment of immigration officers as a vulnerable group rests on claims that agents now face unprecedented threats.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
This threat will be greatest from the southern Piedmont to the southern Sandhills and southern Coastal Plain, where little to no rain occurred Friday night.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Israel, meanwhile, saw Nasser’s rising influence across the Arab world as a danger, and wanted an excuse to cut him down, and to target Palestinian fedayeen militants who were operating in Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula, which were both controlled by Egypt at the time.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Although winds will be mostly light, between 5 and 10 mph, the dry air combined with very dry vegetation will result in a continuation of elevated fire danger.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wait for 30 minutes after the most recent lightning or thunder before venturing outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Orion capsule the crew will pilot – built by Lockheed Martin – is due to travel about 4,700 miles beyond the far side of the moon, taking its passengers the farthest humans have ever ventured in space before returning to Earth.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Both Kendra and Joseph were charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child and four counts of false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department announced March 20.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Other projects have or would have endangered the bleached sandhill skipper butterfly, the sage-grouse, and steamboat buckwheat.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This promises investors dramatic upside, or the jeopardy of existential implosion, depending on their results on the field.—
Andrés Martinez,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
This is a city of unprecedented opportunity and jeopardy.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clothes Iron and Steamer Many cruise lines have policies forbidding the use of clothes irons and steamers and won’t allow these fire hazards onboard.—
Jill Schildhouse,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
At over 1,800 lives lost per year, winter vehicle-crash fatalities are four times greater than the total number of all other weather hazards combined, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The war has threatened global supplies of oil and natural gas, sparked fertilizer shortages and disrupted air travel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, there was Foster, checking into the game just as the whole thing threatened to go off the rails for Duke.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wacha dodged further trouble by striking out Braves first baseman Matt Olson.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
His only trouble came in the fourth inning.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risk. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
