gamble 1 of 2

Definition of gamblenext
as in chance
a risky undertaking it's a gamble, but I'm willing to take the risk

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gamble

2 of 2

verb

as in to bet
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event a foolish man who gambled his life savings on the lottery

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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 gamble
Noun
Calling a snap election was a gamble, but Takaichi hoped to turn her popularity into a stronger mandate for the struggling Liberal Democratic Party. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026 Sharing personal details or political views with them was a bit of a gamble. Literary Hub, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
Long a feature of European soccer, with gambling sites sponsoring football clubs’ kits, the Paddy Powerization of America led to gambling partnerships with sports brands including ESPN, the NBA, and the NFL. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026 Nothing makes Americans want to gamble like the Super Bowl. Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gamble
Noun
  • Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway had the option to sentence him to life in prison with the chance for parole after at least 25 years, but Thompson did not face the death penalty given his age at the time of the crimes.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • There’s still a chance of some wintry mix on the front and back end.
    Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Takaichi was betting with this election that her LDP party, together with its new partner, the JIP, would secure a majority.
    MARI YAMAGUCHI, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Takaichi was betting that her LDP party, together with its new partner, the JIP, would secure a majority.
    Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Peter Thiel, a venture capitalist and co-founder of Palantir and PayPal, appeared in the Epstein files, with the latest release showing correspondence between and about the two.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
  • This new venture continues their mission of getting movies in front of the people who most want to see them.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The couple heard police on a loudspeaker tell someone to put his weapon down and end the situation peacefully shortly before the helicopter arrived.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • McMillan, taken eighth overall by the Panthers in last year’s NFL Draft, put together a rookie campaign with 70 receptions (122 targets) for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The data comes against the backdrop of a USA TODAY investigation that showed thousands of kids and teens had illegally wagered millions of dollars on regulated sports books and were caught in recent years.
    Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Gadberry wagered $3 to win the jackpot.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gamble. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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