at risk

phrase

: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility

patients at risk of infection

—usually hyphenated when used before a noun

programs to support at-risk youth

Examples of at risk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In August, after Piker implied that Jews' support for Israel puts them at risk of personal violence, El-Sayed sought to distance himself from the controversy, saying Piker did not speak for the campaign. — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026

On the other hand, proponents might argue that reliably identifying individuals at risk of committing serious crimes could benefit society. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

Fiscal threats from Washington are putting our financial future at risk. — Ryder Kessler, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

Lawmakers should not put any of those options at risk in the name of lowering drug costs. — L. Prather McKinnon, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for at risk

• basilisk
• obelisk
• bisque
• brisk
• disc
• disk
• fisc
• fisk
• frisk
• whisk
• videodisc