1
: possibility of loss or injury : peril
2
: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard
3
a
: 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
risked; risking; risks
1
: to expose to hazard or danger
risked her life
2
: to incur the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck
risker
noun
Synonyms
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
Cheryl Vari, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Employee relations: Employers must assess their risk tolerance regarding unlawful activities in the workplace and consider the potential impact on employee morale and productivity.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
While awaiting repairs, owners of the affected vehicles need to park outside and away from other vehicles to minimize the risks.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
David Robert Elliott With health experts warning that social media can pose risks to the mental health and well-being of children, especially girls, the natural followup question is: Do the members of that mom group ever question her decision to let Evelyn be on social media to this extent?
—Dianna Mazzone Singh, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
While arguing for a high bond, Hunt said Anderson is not and has not been a resident of Indiana and should be considered a flight risk.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 2 Apr. 2024
The risk will probably always be giving up too early, too quickly — but the other risk is taking too long to give up.
—Saira Mueller, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond Jaguar's control.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2024
Fed officials are facing the difficult task of balancing the risk of cutting too soon with the risk of cutting too late — both of which come with consequences.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
Josh Funk, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
The officials who made the decision to release the vinyl chloride — Ohio's governor and the local fire chief leading the response — decided that releasing and burning it was safer than risking a tank car or more exploding.
—Josh Funk, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Repeat offenders risked losing portions of their annual bonus.
—Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
By disregarding this fundamental tenet, the administration risks stifling the ...
—Mimi Walters, National Review, 1 Apr. 2024
There was also the fact that some of the miners are Venezuelans who have crossed the border, which meant that arresting them and blowing up their boats risked creating an international incident.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Any increase in fighting in Rafah, a key transit point for humanitarian aid, risks exacerbating conditions across the enclave that the U.N. and aid groups say is suffering from chronic shortages of food, water and medicine.
—John Hudson The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Mar. 2024
In a marketplace where consumers and investors are increasingly discerning, brands that fail to prioritize environmental considerations risk not just alienation but obsolescence.
—Ross Meyercord, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Does this mean pushing past your relationship wounding in order to risk your heart once more?
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
What is causing the tornado risk A cold front pushing east is causing the storms.
—Cheryl Vari, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Employee relations: Employers must assess their risk tolerance regarding unlawful activities in the workplace and consider the potential impact on employee morale and productivity.
—Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
While awaiting repairs, owners of the affected vehicles need to park outside and away from other vehicles to minimize the risks.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024
David Robert Elliott With health experts warning that social media can pose risks to the mental health and well-being of children, especially girls, the natural followup question is: Do the members of that mom group ever question her decision to let Evelyn be on social media to this extent?
—Dianna Mazzone Singh, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
While arguing for a high bond, Hunt said Anderson is not and has not been a resident of Indiana and should be considered a flight risk.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 2 Apr. 2024
The risk will probably always be giving up too early, too quickly — but the other risk is taking too long to give up.
—Saira Mueller, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond Jaguar's control.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2024
Fed officials are facing the difficult task of balancing the risk of cutting too soon with the risk of cutting too late — both of which come with consequences.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
The officials who made the decision to release the vinyl chloride — Ohio’s governor and the local fire chief leading the response — decided that releasing and burning it was safer than risking a tank car or more exploding.
—Josh Funk, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
The officials who made the decision to release the vinyl chloride — Ohio's governor and the local fire chief leading the response — decided that releasing and burning it was safer than risking a tank car or more exploding.
—Josh Funk, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Repeat offenders risked losing portions of their annual bonus.
—Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
By disregarding this fundamental tenet, the administration risks stifling the ...
—Mimi Walters, National Review, 1 Apr. 2024
There was also the fact that some of the miners are Venezuelans who have crossed the border, which meant that arresting them and blowing up their boats risked creating an international incident.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Any increase in fighting in Rafah, a key transit point for humanitarian aid, risks exacerbating conditions across the enclave that the U.N. and aid groups say is suffering from chronic shortages of food, water and medicine.
—John Hudson The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Mar. 2024
In a marketplace where consumers and investors are increasingly discerning, brands that fail to prioritize environmental considerations risk not just alienation but obsolescence.
—Ross Meyercord, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Does this mean pushing past your relationship wounding in order to risk your heart once more?
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'risk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing risk
Dictionary Entries Near risk
Cite this Entry
“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risk. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
risk
1 of 2 noun1
: possibility of loss or injury
2
: someone or something that presents a risk
a bad risk
a good credit risk
risk
2 of 2 verb1
: to expose to danger
risked her life
2
: to take the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck
Medical Definition
risk
noun1
: possibility of loss, injury, disease, or death
hypertension increases the risk of stroke
2
: a person considered in terms of the possible bad effects of a particular course of treatment
a poor surgical risk
Legal Definition
risk
noun1
a
: possibility of loss or injury
b
: liability for loss or injury if it occurs
the risk of loss passes to the buyer when the goods are duly delivered to the carrier—Uniform Commercial Code
Uniform Commercial Codethe risk of personal injury and property damage should be placed with the manufacturer rather than the consumer—Case & Comment
Case & Comment2
a
: the chance of loss to the subject matter of an insurance contract : uncertainty with regard to loss
also
: the degree of probability of such loss compare peril
b
: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
a poor risk for insurance
c
: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
a war risk
riskless
adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on risk
Nglish: Translation of risk for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of risk for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about risk
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share