as in betting
to risk (something) on the outcome of an uncertain event
a foolish man who gambled his life savings on the lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gambling
In England, where the company is headquartered, Genius boasts that its technology now facilitates gambling during 97% of Premier League soccer games and increased the margin for one sportsbook by an impressive 23%.
—
Nick Watt, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The idea that these companies are meaningfully different from gambling sites — or, more to the point, that their growth is not being driven by young men gambling on their phones — is hard to take seriously.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 18 Mar. 2026
In an inscription outside of the current building, writer Tom Corcoran claims Buffett once escaped the apartment upstairs from the bar after a lovers’ quarrel and that patrons often stood on bricks to stay out of runoff from the overflowing bathrooms while gambling on games of pool.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
The Dolphins are gambling on Willis continuing that evolution.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambling
Nick Watt, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
The idea that these companies are meaningfully different from gambling sites — or, more to the point, that their growth is not being driven by young men gambling on their phones — is hard to take seriously.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 18 Mar. 2026
In an inscription outside of the current building, writer Tom Corcoran claims Buffett once escaped the apartment upstairs from the bar after a lovers’ quarrel and that patrons often stood on bricks to stay out of runoff from the overflowing bathrooms while gambling on games of pool.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
The Dolphins are gambling on Willis continuing that evolution.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gambling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambling
Verb
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The company is also betting that few independent podcasters feel particularly loyal to their audio hosting and monetization platforms, and believes some of the audio companies are too slow to realize that many podcasters now want publishing, audio, email, and video all in one service.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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Since the start of the Iran war financial markets have flipped from betting on a couple of interest-rate cuts this year to now pricing in a one-in-three or so chance of a Fed rate hike by year end.—
Dan Burns,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But when wagering on elections, most traders have seemed to consistently buy and sell only one position, rather than switching between them.—
Parker Bach,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
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Many fans are flocking to in-game micro-betting -- wagering on specific moments during the course of a game, like which team will score the next points in a basketball game or the speed of a pitch in a baseball game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Republican leaders said Democrats are putting the country at risk.—
LISA MASCARO,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
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The King and Queen were metaphorically putting an arm around them.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gambling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gambling. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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