risky

adjective

ˈri-skē 

riskier; riskiest

: attended with risk or danger : hazardous

riskiness noun

Synonyms

• dangerous
• hazardous
• perilous
• serious

Choose the Right Synonym for risky

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury.

dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples of risky in a Sentence

Her plan is too risky.

Recent Examples on the Web

With thousands of such satellites up there, even engaging in amateur astronomy as a hobby — looking at the night sky through a telescope or binoculars — would suddenly become an extremely risky activity. —Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025

Few do, and the only Chelsea player who springs to mind as being as exciting as Palmer on the ball would be a risky choice as his deputy. —Cerys Jones, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025

Sikorsky combines the strength of the Black Hawk with MATRIX flight technology to develop a utility aircraft that can fly autonomously in risky areas. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025

In fact, some of the riskiest roles don't even clear $60,000. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing risky

• risky business
• risky move

Rhymes for risky

• frisky
• whiskey
• whisky

Kids Definition

risky

adjective

ˈris-kē 

riskier; riskiest

: having or bringing risk : dangerous