risk

noun \ ˈrisk \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

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 addition, obesity, which increases your risk for clots, was noted as another significant finding.

— sandy bauers, Philly.com, "5 Questions: Lessons from the early death of Maroon 5 manager Jordan Feldstein," 6 Apr. 2018
Working fewer hours will give you more free time in the short term and could decrease your risk of heart disease to give you a higher quality of life in the long term, according to the researchers.

— julie davis, chicagotribune.com, "All that overtime could be killing you," 5 Apr. 2018
Research projects cannot be separated from the consumer product manufacturing area, which also poses the potential risk for cross-contamination.

— karen herzog, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "$220 million building boom on UW-Madison campus will modernize chemistry and agriculture facilities," 5 Apr. 2018
Last week, Panama put Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and several high-ranking officials on a watch-list as being at high risk for laundering money.

— Fox News, "Venezuela suspends Panamanian businesses, airline," 5 Apr. 2018
The Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to offload more of its flood-insurance risk to investors before the height of next hurricane season.

— nicole friedman, WSJ, "FEMA Wants Investors to Provide Shelter in the Next Storm," 4 Apr. 2018
Prolonged moist conditions up your risk of termites (ick), with an influx of roaches remaining a concern as the mercury rises.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Bug Populations Are Expected to Explode This Spring," 4 Apr. 2018
Physical activity and exercise can prevent obesity in children, promote bone formation, increase self-esteem, and lower their risk for depression.

— jelte kelchtermans, m.d., miamiherald, "Get up and get moving with your kids | Miami Herald," 3 Apr. 2018
After adjustments, their risk of premature death was 67% higher than for those in the control group, the study authors calculated.

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "A sudden loss of wealth may be hazardous to your health," 3 Apr. 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

See Words from the same year

risk Synonyms

risk

verb

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

But diplomacy and a negotiation within a WTO proceeding timetable can get results without risking the economic future of two world superpowers.

— gary shapiro, Fortune, "Commentary: We Need a Reset With China, Not a Trade War," 6 Apr. 2018
Van Hulst was among more than 26,500 gentiles — 5,595 from the Netherlands — recognized by Yad Vashem for risking their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

— ellie silverman, latimes.com, "Dutch schoolteacher who saved hundreds of Jewish children during Holocaust dies at 107," 4 Apr. 2018
Other organizations that work with migrants criticized the action for risking the lives and welfare of the marchers.

— robbie whelan, WSJ, "Migrant ‘Caravan’ in Mexico Raises Trump’s Ire," 2 Apr. 2018
Van Hulst was among more than 26,500 gentiles recognized by the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial center in Jerusalem for risking their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

— kansascity, "Final Chapters for April 1, 2018: Rusty Staub, Stéphane Audran, Anita Shreve | The Kansas City Star," 31 Mar. 2018
Yemen also noted many streets in Philadelphia already have parallel parking on the right side without risking drivers’ safety.

— jason laughlin, Philly.com, "Philadelphia looks to flip bike lanes where fatal accident occurred," 27 Mar. 2018
But right now that seems very unlikely -- certainly not without risking a Russian veto at the security council.

— nic robertson, CNN, "Why Houthis have added fuel to fire with missile attacks on Saudi Arabia," 26 Mar. 2018
The hardship faced by ordinary people could test the president’s resolve to stay the course on economic reforms without risking social unrest in a country where protests helped topple two presidents in the last seven years.

— ahmed feteha, Bloomberg.com, "As Election Begins, El-Sisi Ponders How Hard to Push Egypt," 25 Mar. 2018
Under the sanctions announced Friday, Mesri — who is still at large, according to officials — will not be able to travel to the US or any countries that have extradition treaties with the US without risking arrest.

— constance grady, Vox, "Last year’s Game of Thrones leaks were allegedly part of a $6 million ransom demand," 23 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of risk

1660

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

: 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

: 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 \

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

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 \

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

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