1
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm
mountain climbing is a risk, but the thrill and challenge are worth it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in danger
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil
children living in poverty are considered at risk for a number of medical and developmental problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to venture
to take a chance on
Colette didn't want to risk running out of food for her party, so she bought twice what she thought she would actually need
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to endanger
to place in danger
we refuse to risk our life savings on this investment scheme
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of risk
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The board also found that Atmos didn’t do enough to assess risks and make repairs to its pipeline system and didn’t do enough to educate the public or emergency officials about how to respond to natural gas leaks.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Even though Dune has an exclusive three-week run in Imax screens, some top studio executives and distribution chiefs believe Dune may move so as to not risk being overpowered by Avengers on opening weekend.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for risk
Noun
Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of dying in a crash by 45% for people in the front seat of passenger cars and 60% for those in pickup trucks, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
The board also found that Atmos didn’t do enough to assess risks and make repairs to its pipeline system and didn’t do enough to educate the public or emergency officials about how to respond to natural gas leaks.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The organizations behind Monday’s statement argue the new law risks formalizing and expanding that model at a time when international interest in Venezuela’s mineral wealth is resurging.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Even though Dune has an exclusive three-week run in Imax screens, some top studio executives and distribution chiefs believe Dune may move so as to not risk being overpowered by Avengers on opening weekend.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for risk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risk
Noun
-
The Administration’s treatment of immigration officers as a vulnerable group rests on claims that agents now face unprecedented threats.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
This threat will be greatest from the southern Piedmont to the southern Sandhills and southern Coastal Plain, where little to no rain occurred Friday night.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Israel, meanwhile, saw Nasser’s rising influence across the Arab world as a danger, and wanted an excuse to cut him down, and to target Palestinian fedayeen militants who were operating in Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula, which were both controlled by Egypt at the time.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Although winds will be mostly light, between 5 and 10 mph, the dry air combined with very dry vegetation will result in a continuation of elevated fire danger.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While the audience may not laugh during every minute of SOBO, perhaps the film will inspire others to venture onto the trails.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The Artemis 2 crew will travel farther into space than any human before, venturing up to 6,000 miles beyond the far side of the moon.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Metropolitan Police said the two men, aged 45 and 47, were arrested in London on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and that both have been taken to a police station in the city for questioning.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
They were each charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of false imprisonment.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Like many wealthy people in legal jeopardy, Ver now also launched a media blitz seeking a pardon from the incoming president.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
-
This summer’s controversy-laden men’s Fifa World Cup took on a whole new layer of jeopardy when the US, the main co-host, attacked Iran, one of the competitors.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Clothes Iron and Steamer Many cruise lines have policies forbidding the use of clothes irons and steamers and won’t allow these fire hazards onboard.—
Jill Schildhouse,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
At over 1,800 lives lost per year, winter vehicle-crash fatalities are four times greater than the total number of all other weather hazards combined, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The war has threatened global supplies of oil and natural gas, sparked fertilizer shortages and disrupted air travel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, there was Foster, checking into the game just as the whole thing threatened to go off the rails for Duke.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wacha dodged further trouble by striking out Braves first baseman Matt Olson.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
His only trouble came in the fourth inning.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risk. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
