at the risk of (doing something)

idiom

: despite the possibility of (doing something that could be considered improper, wrong, etc.)
At the risk of sounding rude, I have to ask you how old you are.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Critics say such laws play off fears and misinformation while jeopardizing the emotional and physical well-being of a small and vulnerable population and putting doctors in the ethically difficult position of providing care at the risk of losing their careers. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2023 Protests that erupted across China in late November and further evidence of the zero-Covid strategy’s toll on growth and livelihoods have shifted the focus of China’s leaders to reviving the economy, even at the risk of unleashing a deadly wave of infections during the winter months. Selina Cheng, WSJ, 9 Dec. 2022 In its heft and variety, the album feels—at the risk of mentioning Kanye—like SZA’s Donda, if that makes any sense. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 9 Dec. 2022 The end to restrictions on intercity travel will allow residents of Beijing, one of China’s two most affluent cities, along with Shanghai, to spend money elsewhere, but at the risk of spreading Covid to other cities. Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2022 The Ohio State Board of Education heard hours of public testimony Tuesday about a resolution opposing a Biden Administration attempt to expand protections for gay and transgender students, even at the risk of losing federal funding for a variety of programs. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 21 Sep. 2022 Although not legally binding, successful shareholder resolutions put pressure on the company’s board members to execute them, at the risk of being voted out. Tim Mcdonnell, Quartz, 26 Apr. 2022 Or maybe, at the risk of seeming too flippant, that comma should be a colon. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 27 Apr. 2023 Throughout its long history (and at the risk of sounding like Bart Simpson delivering a bad book report), Bugatti has often had a thing for contrasts. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 21 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at the risk of (doing something).' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near at the risk of (doing something)

at the pump

at the risk of (doing something)

at the root of

Cite this Entry

“At the risk of (doing something).” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20risk%20of%20%28doing%20something%29. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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