risky

adjective

ˈri-skē 

riskier; riskiest

: attended with risk or danger : hazardous

riskiness noun

Synonyms

• dangerous
• hazardous
• perilous
• serious

Choose the Right Synonym for risky

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury.

dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples of risky in a Sentence

Her plan is too risky.

Recent Examples on the Web

Efforts to expand retail investors’ access to private markets in Europe took a significant step forward this week with the launch of a new investment vehicle, but concerns remain about growing exposure to the relatively risky assets. —Jenni Reid,ganesh Rao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025

Offload drudge work and risky tasks so humans can focus on safer, more creative work. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025

Unless the game is projected to have a ton of passing volume, Pickens is a risky play. —Steve Bradshaw, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Instead, the fund invested in risky assets that were unprofitable, had very little return on investment, and carried a large amount of debt, said the news release. —Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing risky

• risky business
• risky move

Rhymes for risky

• frisky
• whiskey
• whisky

Kids Definition

risky

adjective

ˈris-kē 

riskier; riskiest

: having or bringing risk : dangerous