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Definition of risk
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 lossb : a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurerc : 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
From the M-W Editors
Examples of risk in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of risk from the Web
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Babies born in withdrawal from drugs their mothers used during pregnancy — a growing problem in Kentucky — are at greater risk of SUID, Janes said.
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Countless civilians remain vulnerable and in need of aid, at risk of hunger and disease as well as the violent reprisals of militants.
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Rigby said those girls who had never played golf were taking a risk, which was a good thing.
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But that was sidetracked when the Bachelor alum tested positive for a gene that links her to a high risk of cancer.
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Rumpke’s unwillingness to commit to phase II timing is a recognition of the risks.
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Jeffrey R. Wass, of the Nieuw Amsterdam Apartments in Evesham Township, was charged with second- and third-degree aggravated assault, causing a risk of widespread injury or damage, and other offenses and was being held in the Burlington County jail.
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The chamber’s CEO, Roger Baxter, argues that the new rules would deter investment and put up to 100,000 mining jobs at risk.
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Global warming will likely heighten the risk of large, more difficult to control wildfires scorching the western United States.
These 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.
Origin and Etymology of risk
French risque, from Italian risco
risk
Definition of risk
transitive verb
1 : to expose to hazard or danger risked her life
2 : to incur the risk or danger of risked breaking his neck
risker
nounExamples of risk in a Sentence
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 of risk from the Web
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But human rights experts and the companies affected warn that the law risks privatizing the process of censorship and could have a chilling effect on free speech.
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The persistence of these unfalsifiable and hence unscientific theories is an embarrassment that risks damaging science’s reputation at a time when science can ill afford it.
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While Barry Fey pulled in big-name, big-money shows — Pink Floyd at Mile High Stadium, U2 at Red Rocks, three nights of Bob Dylan at the now-defunct Rainbow Music Hall — few promoters bothered to risk their money on smaller bands.
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Some have been drinking or using drugs and don't want to risk a DUI charge.
These 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.
First Known Use of risk
1660
RISK Defined for English Language Learners
risk
playDefinition of risk for English Language Learners
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: the possibility that something bad or unpleasant (such as an injury or a loss) will happen
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: someone or something that may cause something bad or unpleasant to happen
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: a person or thing that someone judges to be a good or bad choice for insurance, a loan, etc.
risk
Definition of risk for English Language Learners
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: to put (something) in a situation in which it could be lost, damaged, etc.
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: to do something that could result in (something bad or unpleasant)
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: to do (something that may have harmful or bad results)
RISK Defined for Kids
Definition of risk for Students
1 : possibility of loss or injury This adventure involves risks.
2 : something or someone that may cause loss or injury Smoking is a health risk.
Definition of risk for Students
risked
;risking
1 : to expose to danger He risked his life to save the children.
2 : to take the risk or danger of I'm not willing to risk hurting myself.
Medical Dictionary
risk
playMedical Definition of risk
1: 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
at risk
Law Dictionary
risk
Legal Definition of risk
1a : 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 the risk of personal injury and property damage should be placed with the manufacturer rather than the consumer — Case & Comment
2a : 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
adjectiveLearn More about risk
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See words that rhyme with risk Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for risk Spanish Central: Translation of risk Nglish: Translation of risk for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of risk for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about risk
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