gambles 1 of 2

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

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gambles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of gamble
as in bets
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 gambles
Noun
At a time when Disney is facing major disruption, such gambles may be just what the company needs. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026 Second-round picks always have been relative gambles and have only lost value in recent years as fewer players declare for each draft. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026 The Dodgers didn’t take any one-year gambles to address their need in the outfield this winter. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026 Two fourth-down gambles by Cignetti in the fourth quarter, after Fletcher's second touchdown carved the Hurricanes' deficit to three points, put Mendoza in position to shine. Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2026 Two fourth-down gambles by Cignetti in the fourth quarter, after Fletcher’s second touchdown carved the Hurricanes’ deficit to three, put the QB in position to shine. Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026 Two fourth-down gambles by Cignetti in the fourth quarter, after Fletcher’s second touchdown carved the Hurricanes’ deficit to three, put Mendoza in position to shine. Eddie Pells, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026 This level of dealmaking far exceeds the bowling alley bets and small-time street gambles that have shaped Marty’s way of moving in the world, and Rockwell represents the kind of ruthless American capitalism and competition that requires humiliation and subjugation. Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 25 Dec. 2025 Duke was 4-for-4 on fourth down in the game, and those successful gambles from Diaz were key to the victory. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 7 Dec. 2025
Verb
As Macron heads toward the end of his time in office — his final term ends next year — the Louvre overhaul has become his signature cultural project — his version of the big museum-and-monument gambles French presidents are often remembered for. ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambles
Noun
  • Brees, who regularly attends Padres games and participates in marketing for Vuori, has invested in professional flag football, pickleball and other athletic ventures.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
  • The money, speed and urgency with which Musk and other tech leaders are pursuing the ventures didn’t give communities in Southaven much time to push back over noise and health concerns.
    Bracey Harris, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The prediction market’s CEO, Tarek Mansour, told CNBC that bets on Bad Bunny’s first song alone exceeded $100 million in volume.
    Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
  • If a new account opens and immediately bets on a single player micro-market, that’s suspicious.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But Porter’s gubernatorial chances took a hit in late 2025 after an interview with a local television reporter in Sacramento went seriously awry.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The loss to the Hawkeyes hurt those chances, but beating Ohio State, which is fighting to host the first two rounds of the tournament at home, is a step in the right direction.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The extra $321 a month the couple now puts toward health premiums will force them to live a leaner lifestyle, Nancy said.
    Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
  • That puts the fear of God into him.
    Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gambles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambles. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

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