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

Previous recessions including the 2008 Great Recession were triggered by similar risky lending practices. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

Just as a chef hones a knife daily to keep it prime—rather than waiting for it to dull and require the destructive act of sharpening—organizations can hone their approach to AI in ways that are less risky, more resilient, and ultimately faster and more effective than transformation. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

His political director quit the two-month-old campaign, and the candidate apologized — but now Platner is taking a rare, risky approach by leaning into the controversy. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2025

Luckily, there are ways to spot risky drivers early and protect yourself before things escalate. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 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