as in threats
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
1
as in hazards
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 endangers
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 risks
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Volunteers spoke of the risks of verbal and physical confrontations with ICE agents, including the use of pepper spray and other irritants against observers and even arrests.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Historically, bond was often granted to those without criminal convictions who were not flight risks, and mandatory detention was limited to recent border crossers.
—Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
His mother signed a document acknowledging the risks.
—Stephanie Slifer, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Weathers and Luis Gil, meanwhile, are injury risks.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
More reliable forecasts of solar activity could help protect satellites, reduce risks to navigation systems, and give power grid operators advance warning of geomagnetic disturbances.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
Warnings on the risks of abandoning democratic efforts need to be heard; sooner rather than later, Venezuela will have to produce a framework for political transition, not least because constitutionally Rodríguez has only 180 days as interim president.
—Juan Pablo Spinetto, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
But there’s risks associated with rolling out a universal basic income policy, too, Marinescu suggested.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Its recommendations largely ignore the four fundamental flaws and instead propose a strong mayor system that risks dragging Oakland back to the corruption and special interest dealings that made Tammany Hall famous.
—Steven Falk, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
The first option risks a private market repricing of risk assets leading to potential recession.
—Daniel J. Arbess, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Famine threatens more towns in Sudan’s Darfur region, with two areas now showing famine-level acute malnutrition that risks more deaths.
—Noha Elhennawy, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The win probability gained from converting fourth downs is greater than what a team risks losing by turning the ball over on downs, particularly deep in the opponent’s territory.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The mayor warned the federal presence risks unraveling years of investment in community policing and alternative response approaches, saying that work has helped drive crime down and improve relationships.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
While a complete withdrawal from the GNU may be unlikely, the resurgence of internal debate alone risks unsettling a government whose stability rests, in part, on the DA’s role as a moderating force.
—Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The analyst, who has seen many tech cycles come and go since starting his career in 1987, is part of a growing chorus of voices on Wall Street arguing that AI has now warped into a bubble that risks exploding.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
Onana has spent time in the gym and with doctors to understand his injury problems and how best to manage the risks.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Volunteers spoke of the risks of verbal and physical confrontations with ICE agents, including the use of pepper spray and other irritants against observers and even arrests.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Historically, bond was often granted to those without criminal convictions who were not flight risks, and mandatory detention was limited to recent border crossers.
—Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
His mother signed a document acknowledging the risks.
—Stephanie Slifer, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Weathers and Luis Gil, meanwhile, are injury risks.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
More reliable forecasts of solar activity could help protect satellites, reduce risks to navigation systems, and give power grid operators advance warning of geomagnetic disturbances.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
Warnings on the risks of abandoning democratic efforts need to be heard; sooner rather than later, Venezuela will have to produce a framework for political transition, not least because constitutionally Rodríguez has only 180 days as interim president.
—Juan Pablo Spinetto, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
But there’s risks associated with rolling out a universal basic income policy, too, Marinescu suggested.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
The failure to do so has only cheapened our nation and risks our future as a beacon for the world.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Its recommendations largely ignore the four fundamental flaws and instead propose a strong mayor system that risks dragging Oakland back to the corruption and special interest dealings that made Tammany Hall famous.
—Steven Falk, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
The first option risks a private market repricing of risk assets leading to potential recession.
—Daniel J. Arbess, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Famine threatens more towns in Sudan’s Darfur region, with two areas now showing famine-level acute malnutrition that risks more deaths.
—Noha Elhennawy, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The win probability gained from converting fourth downs is greater than what a team risks losing by turning the ball over on downs, particularly deep in the opponent’s territory.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The mayor warned the federal presence risks unraveling years of investment in community policing and alternative response approaches, saying that work has helped drive crime down and improve relationships.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
While a complete withdrawal from the GNU may be unlikely, the resurgence of internal debate alone risks unsettling a government whose stability rests, in part, on the DA’s role as a moderating force.
—Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
The analyst, who has seen many tech cycles come and go since starting his career in 1987, is part of a growing chorus of voices on Wall Street arguing that AI has now warped into a bubble that risks exploding.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risks
Noun
-
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
-
Cyber threats, artificial intelligence, trade disruption, workforce transitions, energy security, climate pressures, human rights, labor standards and national security are inherently transnational.—
Alan H.H. Fleischmann,
Time,
13 Feb. 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
-
Today’s staged raid reinforces our conviction that this investigation distorts French law, circumvents due process, and endangers free speech.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Violence, hazing or any other behavior that endangers others has no place at NAU.—
Kathy Tulumello,
AZCentral.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The conservationist Rachel Carson made many Americans aware of the dangers of pesticides for the first time in her 1962 bestseller Silent Spring.—
Annie Levin,
Washington Post,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Plaintiffs also accuse the companies of failing to warn users about the risks of using their products and of deliberately concealing their dangers.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As with any mission that ventures beyond near-Earth orbit, portions of the journey will be agonizingly isolating.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
31 Dec. 2025
-
That version, directed by Luis Llosa, focused more on thrills and chills, with a plot centered on a documentary crew that ventures into the Amazon rainforest to help a snake hunter (Voight) track down a legendary — and lethal — serpent.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Pushing a big government socialist agenda that threatens private property and puts government in control of your home?—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The outbreak threatens to strip multiple countries of disease-free status as vaccination rates decline across the region.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With a tone that's equally anxious and lovesick, the British singer confronts domestic bliss and finds her stride.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
What to do about the crisis that sociology confronts?—
Wendy Nelson Espeland,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The rain chances in South Florida over the next seven days.—
Lissette Gonzalez,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Storm chances return next week Overall, the elevated wildfire risk is expected to be short-lived.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Risks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risks. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
