risk

noun \ ˈrisk \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Definition of risk

1 : possibility of loss or injury : peril

2 : someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard

3 a : 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

—

riskless

play \ˈrisk-ləs\ adjective

— at risk

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

patients at risk of infection

See risk defined for English-language learners

See risk defined for kids

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

In other words, Kennedy's job was to figure out how to manage Deutsche Bank's risk in loaning Trump the money to build his Chicago tower, and to securitize or sell off parts of the loan as needed.

— salvador rizzo, chicagotribune.com, "There is an unfounded conspiracy theory about the Supreme Court and Trump Tower Chicago," 14 July 2018
Reviving channels to manage risks would be in America’s interests too.

— The Economist, "Vladimir Putin’s hopes for his long-awaited meeting with Donald Trump," 14 July 2018
There are a few simple ways to minimize these risks, according to the CPSC.

— carolyn l. todd, SELF, "Emergency Responders Share 9 of the Biggest Death Traps in Your Home," 14 July 2018
With agency heads now allowed to hire minimally qualified lawyers as judges, the appearance and the risk of ALJ favoritism and politicization is too great, leaders of judicial organizations agree.

— joe davidson, Washington Post, "Trump order risks ‘politicization’ of administrative judiciary," 13 July 2018
Firefighters too often died because risks weren’t weighed against possible gains.

— mike hendricks, kansascity, "In a tragic loop, firefighters continue to die from preventable mistakes," 13 July 2018
The most serious risk involves the potential damage to investor and business confidence, which could stifle investment and hiring.

— phillip molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Can the U.S. economy withstand a trade war?," 13 July 2018
The Netflix story is a story of innovation, risk and redemption.

— tom hudson, miamiherald, "The house behind ‘House of Cards’," 13 July 2018
The effort allows suspects with open warrants to get their cases resolved with no immediate financial cost and no risk of arrest.

— brian rogers, Houston Chronicle, "Harris DA to host Make it Right event to resolve open misdemeanor warrants," 13 July 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1655

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

risk Synonyms

risk

verb

Definition of risk

risked; risking; risks

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

noun

See risk defined for English-language learners

Examples 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

Kavanaugh and Barrett have been thought to be the two front-runners, but some conservatives have balked at Kavanaugh and others have worried that Barrett could risk what should be a successful nomination.

— aaron blake, Washington Post, "The most interesting late development in Trump’s Supreme Court derby," 9 July 2018
Merkel says, arguing that Germany would risk undermining EU unity by taking unilateral action on its borders.

— alan crawford, Bloomberg.com, "As Merkel’s Power Drains, the Threat to Europe Grows," 27 June 2018
But even in the best case scenarios for accurate counts, like in Iowa where only 3% of children under age five live in hard-to-count zones, the Census still risks missing 7,000 young children in 2020, based on the response rates in 2010.

— grace donnelly, Fortune, "The 2020 Census: Do You Know Where The Children Are?," 27 June 2018
The fire spread so quickly that crash survivors risked their own lives to pull friends and family out of the wreckage.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The Hammond Train Wreck of 1918 Killed Scores of Circus Performers," 22 June 2018
Left unaddressed was a remarkable element of that Monday: that 50-some of Ed’s neighbors and kin had risked their lives trying to rescue him.

— earl swift, Outside Online, "The Incredible True Story of the Henrietta C.," 20 June 2018
Steve Bannon argued that effort risked alienating Trump's political base and contributing to election losses in November, when Republicans hope to preserve their congressional majorities.

— jill colvin, chicagotribune.com, "Family separation policy starts dividing Republicans," 18 June 2018
Steve Bannon argued that effort risked alienating Trump’s political base and contributing to election losses in November, when Republicans hope to preserve their congressional majorities.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Trump claims children ‘are being used by some of the worst criminals on earth’ as way to enter US," 18 June 2018
Steve Bannon argued that that effort risks alienating Trump's political base and could lead to election losses in November, when Republicans hope to preserve their congressional majorities.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Trump digs in on immigration amid family separation crisis," 18 June 2018

First Known Use of risk

1660

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

risk Synonyms

Synonyms

adventure, chance, gamble (on), hazard, tempt, venture;

compromise, endanger, imperil, jeopardize, menace;

expose, subject;

bet (on), wager;

Phrases

run the risk of;

RISK Defined for English Language Learners

risk

noun

Definition of risk for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of risk for English Language Learners

: 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)

RISK Defined for Kids

risk

noun \ ˈrisk \

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.

risk

verb

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

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

Law Dictionary

risk

noun

legal Definition of risk

1 a : 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

2 a : 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