Thesaurus results for GAMBLING

gambling

verb

Definition of gambling

present participle of gamble

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

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 gambling There is some evidence about the mechanism, if not about gambling directly. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 For Kalshi, which has weathered regulatory fights and ongoing scrutiny from gambling opponents, that ambiguity cuts both ways. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Iranian negotiators are gambling everything on the waterway, according to the Wall Street Journal, treating it as a red line and their best leverage over Washington. — semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026 That is gambling with the stability of CPS and asking our students, employees, families and taxpayers to cover the losses. — Angel Gutierrez, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 The bet was clearly a lighthearted joke between friends, but after posting it, the WNBA seems to have regretted the optics of the league promoting two players gambling on a game, which is prohibited in the league’s collective bargaining agreement. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026 Driven by desperation, the migrants are gambling that the consequences of getting caught in Canada will outweigh the risks of remaining in the United States, the Mounties and human rights officials said. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Part of their suspensions involved undergoing therapy and educating the next generation about the risks posed by gambling. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026 But a federal judge blocked the prosecution, finding that federal law pre-empts the state’s laws on gambling. — Samantha Elkins, NBC news, 27 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gambling

Verb

Now, McDonald’s is betting on fancier chicken and airer restaurants to draw back diners.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Just 4% reported playing a fantasy sports game for money, and just 2% reported betting on a prediction market, such as Polymarket or Kalshi.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of betting

Verb

Baltimore's lawsuits allege Kalshi and Polymarket offer the same betting services as tradition sportsbooks, like wagering on winners, point spreads, player statistics and more.

— Renee Anderson, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Los Angeles County election officials are examining steps ahead of the November midterms to respond to the rising popularity of election trading via prediction markets, including a possible ban on wagering for county election workers.

— Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026