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
Melissa Repko, CNBC, 15 July 2025
There is a slight risk of excessive rainfall across most of east Central Florida.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Phil Galewitz, NPR, 14 July 2025
There was a steady rain, but Chesky walked outside in pleated slacks and a form-fitting T-shirt, risking his suède Celine sneakers.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for risk
Noun
Cornell also reached out to and met with civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton for a meeting in April, a sign the company has paid attention to the risk of boycotts.
—Melissa Repko, CNBC, 15 July 2025
There is a slight risk of excessive rainfall across most of east Central Florida.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
Verb
One health industry lobbyist, who asked not to be identified to speak candidly without risking professional repercussions, said there was a sense on Capitol Hill that hospitals could withstand the funding cuts.
—Phil Galewitz, NPR, 14 July 2025
There was a steady rain, but Chesky walked outside in pleated slacks and a form-fitting T-shirt, risking his suède Celine sneakers.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for risk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risk
Noun
-
The threat to cancel the recess could push senators to avoid stonewalling appointments.—
Miriam Waldvogel,
The Hill,
20 July 2025
-
Under a new state law, property owners whose land is taken by any Washington school district through eminent domain, or the threat of it, will have the opportunity to repurchase the real estate if the project does not come to fruition.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
That’s the unfortunate dual-use conundrum associated with contemporary AI, allowing AI to be used for goodness and also for badness (see my analysis of the dangers of dual-use AI at the link here).—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
And a report released Thursday by Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, looking at the dangers of fragrances specifically, found that over 98% of fragrance chemicals either lack basic safety data or are classified as high or potentially high concern by scientific authorities.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
Examining how companies that have ventured down this path approach this issue provides some learnings about what’s happening in this space.—
Oludolapo Makinde,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
-
Wait for 30 minutes after the most recent lightning or thunder before venturing outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Womack has been hit with multiple counts, including corrupt organizations, endangering the welfare of care, unlawful use of a computer, identity theft, forgery and theft by unlawful taking.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 July 2025
-
Shannon Nicole Womack, 39, has been charged with crimes including forgery, identity theft, procurement fraud, unlawful use of a computer, theft by unlawful taking, and endangering the welfare of care, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
President Trump has now signed into law a federal budget that puts our environmental health protections in dire jeopardy.—
Liz Hurtado,
Hartford Courant,
22 July 2025
-
The free, two-day festival was put in jeopardy after President Donald Trump's administration cut $1.2 million in funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities grant.—
Craig Shoup,
The Tennessean,
3 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
-
His charges include three instances of misdemeanors of battery, exhibiting a deadly weapon and threatening to commit a crime with the intent to terrorize.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
21 July 2025
-
Aside from Apple and WhatsApp leading a legal challenge, other communications firms have threatened to leave the U.K. altogether if they are forced to break encryption.—
Barry Collins,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
View gallery - 5 images Harley-Davidson’s boardroom troubles are there for everyone to see.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 July 2025
-
Miranda had trouble finding harpy eagle experts who were willing to co-author this paper with him.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risk. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share