gamble 1 of 2

Definition of gamblenext
as in chance
a risky undertaking it's a gamble, but I'm willing to take the risk

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gamble

2 of 2

verb

as in to bet
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event a foolish man who gambled his life savings on the lottery

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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 gamble
Noun
Ament didn’t quite reach his offensive potential at Tennessee, but this is not dissimilar to the gamble the Bucks once took on a young Antetokounmpo. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 24 June 2026 The move eventually paid off, a long-term gamble that helped the franchise win its first NBA title in 2023; Porter started 62 games and emerged as the team’s third-leading scorer that season. Candace Buckner, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Verb
Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026 Washington gambled that losing some to inoculation was better than losing a war to the virus. Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gamble
Noun
  • The three-time AL MVP had earmarked this year’s Citizens Bank Park festivities, just 45 miles from his New Jersey hometown, as a rare chance to finally enter the derby.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
  • That’s still high, but moves downward mean less chance of a vicious cycle where expectations for higher inflation drive changes in behavior that create higher inflation.
    Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • According to the indictment, Van Dyke immediately withdrew his profit; then tried to delete his betting account on Polymarket, the world's biggest online prediction market.
    Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • Next weekend is starting a couple days early, as Illumination and Universal's Minions & Monsters is betting on audience buy-in with a five-day premiere planned to kick off on Wednesday.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Under his guidance, J Records ignited the careers of Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and, through a joint venture with Octone Records, Maroon 5.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Well versed in what the lunar surface truly offers, Britt scolded a number of arty accounts of lunar territory promulgated by both NASA and commercial space ventures.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • In addition to the fear of deportation, the ruling puts thousands of immigrants at risk of losing their work authorization and their jobs, according to a Haitian-American journalist.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • That lawsuit, in part, accuses City Attorney Miko Brown of pushing airport officials to investigate a charter airline's safety record -- not because of genuine safety concerns, but to create legal cover for a city council vote that put $90 million in federal grant money at risk.
    Brian Maass, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Illinois classifies Kalshi and other prediction markets as unlicensed sports wagering operators offering the same bets as sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel, but without paying taxes or adhering to reporting standards.
    Maggie Dougherty, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • His customers, like most sports bettors, were generally bad at gambling, prone to wagering on the wrong team, with the wrong point spread.
    Keith O’Brien, New Yorker, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gamble. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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