riskier; riskiest
: attended with risk or danger : hazardous
riskiness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for risky

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury.

dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples of risky in a Sentence

Her plan is too risky.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Traditionally, however, penny stocks are pretty risky. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 Forgoing a balanced diet or drastically cutting calories is risky. Helen Carefoot, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025 Upon returning to Manse Beck, Reacher hides the badge in his pillowcase, which seems infinitely riskier than just concealing it on his Land Cruiser-sized person. Chris Klimek, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025 Harris devises a risky, pioneering plan to use hydrogen for breathing. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for risky

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of risky was in 1813

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Risky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risky. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

risky

adjective
riskier; riskiest
: having or bringing risk : dangerous

More from Merriam-Webster on risky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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