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
Nina Totenberg, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024
Could not risk having the daughter tell the husband, and how annoyed the husband would be, or worse.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Bussard is one of a small number of blind individuals around the world who have risked brain surgery to get a visual prosthesis.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
The attack marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, risking a wider regional conflict.
—Zeke J Miller, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
In fact, in the early stages of the Israel-Hamas war that broke out in October, many Iranians risked their lives by publicly opposing the anti-Israel campaign of the regime.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2024
By doing all of this, Mr. Trump has risked radicalizing his most die-hard supporters even further, encouraging them to repeat events like those that unfolded on Jan. 6.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
If a filer forgoes an extension and files late, the person risks additional fees for the tardy submission.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024
The former president’s comments also show a deepening rift with the incumbent that risks further splitting the ruling alliance, sparked by differences in foreign policy and domestic issues like Marcos’s push to amend the Constitution.
—TIME, 12 Apr. 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
Lawyers for the plaintiffs also argued that doctors and pharmacists would be reluctant to risk up to 10 years in prison to provide treatment to anyone, plaintiff or not, unless the law is on hold.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024
Could not risk having the daughter tell the husband, and how annoyed the husband would be, or worse.
—Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Bussard is one of a small number of blind individuals around the world who have risked brain surgery to get a visual prosthesis.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
The attack marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, risking a wider regional conflict.
—Zeke J Miller, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024
In fact, in the early stages of the Israel-Hamas war that broke out in October, many Iranians risked their lives by publicly opposing the anti-Israel campaign of the regime.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 14 Apr. 2024
By doing all of this, Mr. Trump has risked radicalizing his most die-hard supporters even further, encouraging them to repeat events like those that unfolded on Jan. 6.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
If a filer forgoes an extension and files late, the person risks additional fees for the tardy submission.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024
The former president’s comments also show a deepening rift with the incumbent that risks further splitting the ruling alliance, sparked by differences in foreign policy and domestic issues like Marcos’s push to amend the Constitution.
—TIME, 12 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 2024.
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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
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