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
Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The rumors will heat up again during the season, as the Tigers face the decision to trade the best pitcher on the planet or risk losing him for simply an extra draft pick.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Eating only sardines risks nutritional gaps, excess salt and unnecessary stress on the body.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for risk
Noun
Doctors may prescribe icosapent ethyl along with statins to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications of heart disease and diabetes.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The rumors will heat up again during the season, as the Tigers face the decision to trade the best pitcher on the planet or risk losing him for simply an extra draft pick.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Any business found violating city codes will risk losing their right to operate under the program.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Eating only sardines risks nutritional gaps, excess salt and unnecessary stress on the body.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for risk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risk
Noun
-
Trump later dropped that threat.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Trump has been outspoken about his plans to acquire Greenland, citing national security threats from Russia and China.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The firm ran ads warning of the dangers of marijuana during the weeks leading up to the vote on the Amendment 3, which won approval from 56% of Florida voters but failed to reach the 60% threshold needed to become law.—
Jeffrey Schweers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The scenes playing out in Minneapolis in recent weeks offer an object lesson in the dangers of federal overreach.—
Stephen Mihm,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
-
For skiers looking to venture into more technologically advanced helmets, POCs newest helmet, the Obex Connect, is worth the splurge.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While the issue was not resolved during Tuesday’s hearing, the judge at one point ordered a still photographer to be repositioned after concerns from Robinson’s lawyers about how he would be photographed, which could endanger his right to a fair trial.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Gateway officials said last week the work would halt indefinitely on Friday if the feds don’t let the congressional dollars flow — a stoppage that will endanger the project and axe about 1,000 jobs.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But when a violent new cellmate Dee (Blyth) arrives, the chance for Taylor to get his life back is put in jeopardy.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Is a bit of jeopardy exactly the kind of galvanising motivation Arsenal need to click back into gear?—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 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
-
Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program and over Tehran's crackdown on nationwide protests.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The fitness of the second and third generations is threatened by the very privilege they are born into.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This week, there was yet another warning that many homeowners might be headed for trouble.—
Michelle Singletary,
Washington Post,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Game still tight in Tennessee The Aggies are having trouble keeping the Commodores off the offensive boards with a half-dozen second-chance opportunities for the home team so far.—
American Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risk. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
