risk
noun
\ ˈrisk
\
\
Definition of risk
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: possibility of loss or injury : peril
2
: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard
3a
: the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract
also
: the degree of probability of such loss
b
: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
c
: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
war risk
4
: the chance that an investment (such as a stock or commodity) will lose value
at risk
: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility
patients at risk of infection
risk
verb
risked;
risking;
risks
Definition of risk (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to expose to hazard or danger
risked her life
2
: to incur the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck
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Other Words from risk
Noun
riskless
\ ˈrisk-ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Verb
risker
noun
Synonyms for risk
Synonyms: Noun
danger, hazard, imminence, menace, peril, pitfall, threat, trouble
Synonyms: Verb
adventure, chance, gamble (on), hazard, tempt, venture
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Examples of risk in a Sentence
Noun
I prefer not to expose my money to too much risk. The degree of risk is minimal. All investments have an element of risk. The trip didn't seem like much of a risk. I'm aware of the risks associated with this treatment. There is a risk of liver damage with this medication. Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the risk of injury or death in a car accident. We feel that this product presents a significant risk to public health. To me, skydiving is not worth the risk. Smoking is a risk to your lungs.Verb
She risked her life to save her children. He risked all his money on starting his own business. He risked breaking his neck. She's risking being considered too sentimental. The country risked a war. brave people who risked being killed to help others I'm not willing to risk getting lost. I'm going to buy a map. The company is risking the loss of millions of dollars. It's not wise to risk traveling so soon after surgery.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
But the company also used legal marketing practices to boost opioid sales, despite its knowledge of the risks associated with the drug. — Annabelle Timsit, Quartz, "The marketing practices that worsened America’s opioid epidemic are making their way overseas," 24 Aug. 2019 The inverted yield curve and trade war do warn of a higher risk of recession over the next year. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Econometer: Is the yield curve change a sign of a recession?," 23 Aug. 2019 In fantasy football, there’s some type of risk with almost every player. — Adam Ronis, SI.com, "When is it Safe to Select Colts QB Andrew Luck in Fantasy Drafts?," 23 Aug. 2019 The bond holders and the markets are just completely aware of the different risk that surround the company and are completely comfortable with them. — Marissa Luck, Houston Chronicle, "Citgo’s new CEO confident in an uncertain time," 23 Aug. 2019 Arterburn says that the inexact science of concussions prevented a realistic assessment of the risk of that type of injury. — Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, "What Happens When a Drone Crashes Into Your Face?," 22 Aug. 2019 That means primary care providers need to get better at recognizing the signs of suicide risk. — Lizz Schumer, Woman's Day, "Is Suicide Preventable? Experts Weigh In," 22 Aug. 2019 But this is one case where popular perceptions of risk are skewed. — Alan Wirzbicki, BostonGlobe.com, "The free, all-natural, and quite handsome solution to Lyme disease and other tick maladies," 22 Aug. 2019 Sparks testified that Benjamin accepted $150,000 to resign instead of risk being fired. — Washington Post, "Jury backs Nicholas Sparks in lawsuit by former school head," 21 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Finding food is a compelling reason to risk a dunking. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Neanderthals suffered from a veritable epidemic of swimmer’s ear," 19 Aug. 2019 Humans are kept as food for the sharks until two friends risk their lives to rise against their captor and his legion of sharks. — Los Angeles Times, "Here are the feature and TV films airing the week of Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019," 11 Aug. 2019 If not for the bravery of the outgunned police at the Gilroy festival, who were fortunately nearby, responded immediately and risked their lives to attack the shooter with their sidearms, the Gilroy attack could have been much, much deadlier. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, The Mercury News, "Editorial: Gilroy shows why nation needs an assault-weapons ban," 4 Aug. 2019 More than a dozen Good Samaritans sprang into action, risking their own lives to save a passenger trapped inside a crashed SUV in California. — CBS News, "Dramatic video shows group of strangers save passenger trapped in crashed SUV," 2 Aug. 2019 For the Netherlands, her story of common citizens risking their lives to help those in need has become the most prominent narrative of the Dutch’s involvement during the World War II occupation. — National Geographic, "A cold case team is searching for who betrayed Anne Frank," 2 Aug. 2019 Until that day, Degollado firefighters had been risking their lives battling blazes without the proper fire gear. — Meridith Edwards And Tricia Escobedo, CNN, "$90,000 worth of firefighting gear was almost thrown away in Iowa. Now it's saving lives in Mexico," 26 July 2019 The two-day spiny lobster miniseason runs from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and ends midnight Thursday and officials say crustacean aficionados who don’t play by the rules will face fines, jail time, and may even be risking their lives. — Wayne K. Roustan, sun-sentinel.com, "Lobster miniseason is underway: Stay safe, follow the rules, officials urge," 24 July 2019 Raven doesn’t believe the X-Men shouldn’t be risking their lives for this vision, though. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "Dark Phoenix is a joyless retelling of the X-Men’s most famous story," 5 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'risk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for risk
risk
noun
English Language Learners Definition of risk
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the possibility that something bad or unpleasant (such as an injury or a loss) will happen
: someone or something that may cause something bad or unpleasant to happen
: a person or thing that som