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
risked; risking; risks
1
: to expose to hazard or danger
risked her life
2
: to incur the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck
risker
noun
Synonyms
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
Journal Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2024
Introducing new fire risks to heavily trafficked ports with combustible cargoes is also dangerous — imagine the threats to safety, the environment and property if a DPF ignites on a tugboat carrying 110,000 barrels of fuel.
—Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024
Airspace across the Middle East are littered with risks and complexities.
—Olivia Poh, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
The assault underscores how the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which began with the militants' attacks on Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, risks spilling over into a broader regional conflict.
—Susan Miller, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Now the district is at odds with the state, which is pushing for a clean water solution that some worry could not only raise construction risks but increase costs for the tiny school district and nearby residents.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
There's evidence that eating cabbage might help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 13 Apr. 2024
Despite the public health risk Nolasco advises community members to remain calm.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
What is causing the tornado risk A cold front pushing east is causing the storms.
—Cheryl Vari, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Josh Funk, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
The officials who made the decision to release the vinyl chloride — Ohio's governor and the local fire chief leading the response — decided that releasing and burning it was safer than risking a tank car or more exploding.
—Josh Funk, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Repeat offenders risked losing portions of their annual bonus.
—Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
By disregarding this fundamental tenet, the administration risks stifling the ...
—Mimi Walters, National Review, 1 Apr. 2024
There was also the fact that some of the miners are Venezuelans who have crossed the border, which meant that arresting them and blowing up their boats risked creating an international incident.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Any increase in fighting in Rafah, a key transit point for humanitarian aid, risks exacerbating conditions across the enclave that the U.N. and aid groups say is suffering from chronic shortages of food, water and medicine.
—John Hudson The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Mar. 2024
In a marketplace where consumers and investors are increasingly discerning, brands that fail to prioritize environmental considerations risk not just alienation but obsolescence.
—Ross Meyercord, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Does this mean pushing past your relationship wounding in order to risk your heart once more?
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
More:Wisconsin's wildfire season is beginning fast, with risk above normal
More:What to expect for Wisconsin's wildfire season
On Sunday, April 14, most counties in Wisconsin had a high or very high fire danger.
—Journal Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2024
Introducing new fire risks to heavily trafficked ports with combustible cargoes is also dangerous — imagine the threats to safety, the environment and property if a DPF ignites on a tugboat carrying 110,000 barrels of fuel.
—Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024
Airspace across the Middle East are littered with risks and complexities.
—Olivia Poh, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
The assault underscores how the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which began with the militants' attacks on Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, risks spilling over into a broader regional conflict.
—Susan Miller, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Now the district is at odds with the state, which is pushing for a clean water solution that some worry could not only raise construction risks but increase costs for the tiny school district and nearby residents.
—Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
There's evidence that eating cabbage might help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 13 Apr. 2024
Despite the public health risk Nolasco advises community members to remain calm.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
What is causing the tornado risk A cold front pushing east is causing the storms.
—Cheryl Vari, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
The officials who made the decision to release the vinyl chloride — Ohio’s governor and the local fire chief leading the response — decided that releasing and burning it was safer than risking a tank car or more exploding.
—Josh Funk, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024
The officials who made the decision to release the vinyl chloride — Ohio's governor and the local fire chief leading the response — decided that releasing and burning it was safer than risking a tank car or more exploding.
—Josh Funk, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Repeat offenders risked losing portions of their annual bonus.
—Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
By disregarding this fundamental tenet, the administration risks stifling the ...
—Mimi Walters, National Review, 1 Apr. 2024
There was also the fact that some of the miners are Venezuelans who have crossed the border, which meant that arresting them and blowing up their boats risked creating an international incident.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Any increase in fighting in Rafah, a key transit point for humanitarian aid, risks exacerbating conditions across the enclave that the U.N. and aid groups say is suffering from chronic shortages of food, water and medicine.
—John Hudson The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Mar. 2024
In a marketplace where consumers and investors are increasingly discerning, brands that fail to prioritize environmental considerations risk not just alienation but obsolescence.
—Ross Meyercord, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Does this mean pushing past your relationship wounding in order to risk your heart once more?
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'risk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing risk
Dictionary Entries Near risk
Cite this Entry
“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risk. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
risk
1 of 2 noun1
: possibility of loss or injury
2
: someone or something that presents a risk
a bad risk
a good credit risk
risk
2 of 2 verb1
: to expose to danger
risked her life
2
: to take the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck
Medical Definition
risk
noun1
: 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
Legal Definition
risk
noun1
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
Uniform Commercial Codethe risk of personal injury and property damage should be placed with the manufacturer rather than the consumer—Case & Comment
Case & Comment2
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
a poor risk for insurance
c
: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
a war risk
riskless
adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on risk
Nglish: Translation of risk for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of risk for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about risk
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share