RISKINESS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'risky' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of risky are dangerous , hazardous , perilous , and precarious . While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," risky often applies to a known and accepted danger. // shied away from risky investments

Q: When can 'dangerous' be used instead of 'risky'?

While the synonyms dangerous and risky are close in meaning, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully. // soldiers on a dangerous mission

Q: When could 'hazardous' be used to replace 'risky'?

Although the words hazardous and risky have much in common, hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure. // claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

Q: When would 'perilous' be a good substitute for 'risky'?

The words perilous and risky can be used in similar contexts, but perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger. // perilous mountain roads

Q: When might 'precarious' be a better fit than 'risky'?

While in some cases nearly identical to risky , precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty. // earned a precarious living by gambling

risky

adjective

ˈri-skē

Definition of risky

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury a risky new adventure

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How is the word risky distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of risky are dangerous, hazardous, perilous, and precarious. While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

When can dangerous be used instead of risky?

While the synonyms dangerous and risky are close in meaning, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

When could hazardous be used to replace risky?

Although the words hazardous and risky have much in common, hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When would perilous be a good substitute for risky?

The words perilous and risky can be used in similar contexts, but perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

When might precarious be a better fit than risky?

While in some cases nearly identical to risky, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

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 risky Especially with this kind of mountaineering, which is so risky, there’s a concern that people play to the camera in a way. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026 Developing a new medicine is one of the riskiest, most complex undertakings in the modern economy. — Paul R. Sanberg, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026 That only works if speaking up doesn’t feel risky, and that’s on us as leaders. — Sonya Thadhani Mughal, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026 In June, its inspectors found a pattern of risky lending to insiders, reported ABC Color, a leading Paraguayan newspaper. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for risky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for risky

Adjective

Though Awawdeh was friendly, Jontay knew that he was connected to some dangerous associates, including the Gambino crime family in New York.

— New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
But the proliferation of inexpensive first-person-view (FPV) aerial drones has made this incredibly dangerous.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

And previously unseen chemicals hazardous to human health were detected in a quarter of the 49 inhalable products tested by The Times.

— Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
Last year, after several delays, the ship was towed the 1,800 miles from Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama, where it was stripped of any hazardous materials that could harm the marine environment.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

Meanwhile, any challenge to investors’ confidence in Huang’s leadership, or any allegation that his personal relationship influenced Nvidia’s lobbying in Washington, could have serious implications for his position and his company’s valuation.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
Thirteen people were hospitalized in serious condition, authorities said, though that figure may include the gunman, who underwent surgery after the attack.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of serious

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risks

risky

risqué

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“Risky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risky. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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