gamble 1 of 2

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
Lorenz and O’Bryen generally get the songs started as a duo before bringing in bass player Campbell Baum, keyboardist Marco Pini, and drummer Lincoln Barrett to help flesh out their inside jokes and stylistic gambles. Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025 Concerned that Barack Obama was running away with the race, John McCain made an impulsive gamble, boldly picking the largely unknown Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Time, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025 Berens brings his particular brand of Midwest nice to his latest hour (watch the trailer above), full of stories about growing up one of 12 children, sneaking a beer into church, gambling with his grandmother, and Midwest Cheap Hacks. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gamble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gamble
Noun
  • Ava was a big athletic blonde who could have had a chance in Hollywood.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The question is whether the San Francisco defense can get enough stops to give this offense a chance.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This week’s Club Sportico focuses on a series of sports betting investigations underway in college basketball, ones that could impact dozens of athletes at numerous D-I schools.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Also in this article is the game’s broadcast information, as well as betting information.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Playboy is, of course, the media, lifestyle, consumer products and licensing brand founded by Hugh Hefner, while Hefner Capital is a private investment firm focused on media, entertainment and cultural ventures steered by his son, Cooper Hefner.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Covent Garden is the first stand-alone store to reopen as part of the joint venture between Gap and Next, and spans 3,250 square feet across two floors.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Johnson’s 55-yard TD run in the third quarter put MidAmerica Nazarene up 31-0.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Younger consumers are, as Veblen might put it, performing taste with efficiency.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The cap will restrict the amount wagered on individual pitches before they are delivered – ball, strike and pitch velocity – while banning parlaying each pitch result during a game.
    David Close, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June 2025, ESPN reported, and gamblers won at least $450,000 wagering on both of the athlete's pitches.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gamble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gamble. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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