RISKY Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'risky' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of risky are dangerous , hazardous , perilous , and precarious . While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," risky often applies to a known and accepted danger. // shied away from risky investments

Q: When can 'dangerous' be used instead of 'risky'?

While the synonyms dangerous and risky are close in meaning, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully. // soldiers on a dangerous mission

Q: When could 'hazardous' be used to replace 'risky'?

Although the words hazardous and risky have much in common, hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure. // claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

Q: When would 'perilous' be a good substitute for 'risky'?

The words perilous and risky can be used in similar contexts, but perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger. // perilous mountain roads

Q: When might 'precarious' be a better fit than 'risky'?

While in some cases nearly identical to risky , precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty. // earned a precarious living by gambling

risky

adjective

ˈri-skē

Definition of risky next

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury a risky new adventure

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word risky distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of risky are dangerous, hazardous, perilous, and precarious. While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

When can dangerous be used instead of risky?

While the synonyms dangerous and risky are close in meaning, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

When could hazardous be used to replace risky?

Although the words hazardous and risky have much in common, hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When would perilous be a good substitute for risky?

The words perilous and risky can be used in similar contexts, but perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

When might precarious be a better fit than risky?

While in some cases nearly identical to risky, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

Examples 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 risky Trump is making what some call a risky gamble by campaigning in the final days of the election in a state that hasn’t backed a GOP candidate for president since George W. Bush in 2004. —

Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Nov. 2024 Now that Israel has demonstrated its superiority over Iran’s proxies and conventional weapons—and degraded both in the process—Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may decide to pursue a bomb in a risky attempt to salvage some measure of national security. —

Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024 Garcia, from the advocacy network in El Paso, said U.S. border policies meant to deter crossings by diverting immigration flows to risky areas have done little to stop people from trying to cross. —

Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024 Since then, filing has become riskier, more onerous, and more expensive. —

Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for risky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for risky

Adjective

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment regarding some advocates’ concerns that a second Trump term would be dangerous for transgender Americans.

Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
This phishing technique is particularly dangerous because of its strategic design: • No Malicious Links or Attachments: Many phishing attempts are detected by email filters looking for suspicious links or attachments.

Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024