risk

noun

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\ ˈrisk

Definition of risk

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 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

at risk

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

risk

verb

risked; risking; risks

Definition of risk (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to expose to hazard or danger risked her life

2 : to incur the risk or danger of risked breaking his neck

Other Words from risk Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About risk

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: Noun In its ruling last Wednesday, the tribunal dismissed the hospital's claim about the health risk and mentioned how other employees are allowed to wear hijabs and jewelry. — Jon Brown, Fox News, 10 Jan. 2022 The biggest risk people take by swabbing their throat is not doing it right, said Dr. Michael Blaivas, chief medical officer of Anvasi Diagnostics, a diagnostic technology company. — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2022 The new Nature study found that the patient’s BMI, age, and race were irrelevant to risk of preeclampsia. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 9 Jan. 2022 That seems like enough time to stay sharp for the playoffs while minimizing the injury risk inherent to the NFL game. — Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 9 Jan. 2022 Vance acknowledged the risk but countered that a healthy nationalism was an antidote to right-wing grievance politics. — Simon Van Zuylen-wood, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Jan. 2022 Despite several conversations between President Joe Biden and Putin, including an in-person meeting last summer, Blinken said such behavior continues, at increasing risk to the post-World War II global order. — Matthew Lee, ajc, 9 Jan. 2022 Older adults, health care workers, pregnant people, and those with underlying health conditions are also more at risk from each virus, according to the World Health Organization. — Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Jan. 2022 In my previous role, who was designing and implementing those risk and client protocols with Kevin [Sneader]? — Chip Cutter, WSJ, 8 Jan. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Medical experts have warned that holding such large events without proper Covid precautions could risk further spreading Omicron — though Delta is currently still the prevalent variant in India. — Jessie Yeung, CNN, 30 Dec. 2021 Getting a vaccine during the break means that a child won't risk having time off from school if the vaccine leaves them temporarily tired or feeling bad, the way some adults react to the jab. — Terry Demio, The Enquirer, 21 Dec. 2021 Analysts warn that divisions within Kiir’s and Machar’s parties — including recent calls for a leadership change that prompted a government crackdown — risk further instability. — Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2021 But there is a realization that such an approach can risk a loss of oversight and control over what is being built. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 10 Nov. 2021 The consensus is that the president couldn’t risk putting his own associates on trial and have their atrocities revealed. — Shola Lawal, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2021 Aid groups have warned that the persistent inequities risk extending the pandemic, which could lead to new and more dangerous variants. — Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2021 Aid groups have warned that the persistent inequities risk extending the global pandemic, and that could lead to new and more dangerous variants. — Zeke Miller, Chron, 22 Sep. 2021 Aid groups have warned that the persistent inequities risk extending the global pandemic, and that could lead to new and more dangerous variants. — Zeke Miller, chicagotribune.com, 22 Sep. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

11 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risk. Accessed 21 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for risk

risk

noun

English Language Learners Definition of risk

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the possibility that something bad or unpleasant (such as an injury or a loss) will happen

: someone or something that may cause something bad or unpleasant to happen

: a person or thing that someone judges to be a good or bad choice for insurance, a loan, etc.

risk

verb

English Language Learners Definition of risk (Entry 2 of 2)

: to put (something) in a situation in which it could be lost, damaged, etc.

: to do something that could result in (something bad or unpleasant)

: to do (something that may have harmful or bad results)

See the full definition for risk in the English Language Learners Dictionary

risk

noun

\ ˈrisk

Kids Definition of risk

(Entry 1 of 2)

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.

risk

verb

risked; risking

Kids Definition of risk (Entry 2 of 2)

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.

risk

noun

\ ˈrisk

Medical 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

: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility patients at risk of developing infections

risk

noun

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