as in wagering
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event
foolishly bet a week's salary on the World Series
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of betting
Inflation fears have led traders to scale back expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next quarter-point rate cut to September, with some bond options traders betting the Fed may not cut rates at all this year.
—
Marcus Wong, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
The last year has seen several high-profile athletes and coaches charged by the Justice Department in sports betting and related gambling schemes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Democrats are seizing on affordability to challenge Republican control, betting voter frustration over housing prices will drive midterm election victories.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
At the center of the dispute between Miami and Charlotte is the fact that the Heat was not made aware of the unusual betting activity involving Rozier before trading for the veteran guard.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
As oil topped $120 a barrel Monday, and Iran named a new supreme leader, Wall Street is still betting this war will be short—the same bet investors made about Iraq in 2003, when a conflict predicted to cost $60 billion ultimately consumed $3 trillion.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
Some risks greater than 2022 Although the market is currently betting against a scenario that could mimic the 2022 oil and gasoline price shock, prices could still surge.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Many states in recent years have labored to pass sports betting laws, tapping massive tax revenues from wagers to balance their budgets.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Traders were betting the supply of oil from Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East would slow or grind to a halt.
—CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Marcus Wong, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
The last year has seen several high-profile athletes and coaches charged by the Justice Department in sports betting and related gambling schemes.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Democrats are seizing on affordability to challenge Republican control, betting voter frustration over housing prices will drive midterm election victories.
—Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
At the center of the dispute between Miami and Charlotte is the fact that the Heat was not made aware of the unusual betting activity involving Rozier before trading for the veteran guard.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
As oil topped $120 a barrel Monday, and Iran named a new supreme leader, Wall Street is still betting this war will be short—the same bet investors made about Iraq in 2003, when a conflict predicted to cost $60 billion ultimately consumed $3 trillion.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
Some risks greater than 2022 Although the market is currently betting against a scenario that could mimic the 2022 oil and gasoline price shock, prices could still surge.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Many states in recent years have labored to pass sports betting laws, tapping massive tax revenues from wagers to balance their budgets.
—Garrett Downs, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Traders were betting the supply of oil from Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East would slow or grind to a halt.
—CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betting
Verb
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Comer previously told the finance committee that Gary receives about $12 million from wagering taxes, which the city will use to pay for the convention center.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
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That advantage is the amount of money that goes to the host track from advance deposit wagering (ADW) and computer assisted wagering (CAW).—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Proponents of prediction markets argue that putting financial stakes on outcomes leads to better forecasts than traditional methods.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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But putting together a basketball team only requires a few players.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Patients report that the pull of nicotine, alcohol, even gambling fades alongside their appetite.—
Ziyad Al-Aly,
STAT,
4 Mar. 2026
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But fixtures matter, and Liverpool’s upcoming run could be worth gambling on.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Betting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betting. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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