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 These petite rooms are just the place to transcend neutrals and make a statement with riskier design schemes. — Alia Akkam, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026 Some restaurants are removing risky ingredients from their menus as experts encourage caution. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 July 2026 Skipping Discovery Turns Production Into Guesswork When those strategic conversations do not happen, the production becomes riskier. — Tavares Beverly, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 While hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through certain risky behaviors, public health experts say infants can still be exposed in other ways, and that giving the shot to newborns has helped curb mother-to-child transmission. — Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for risky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for risky

Adjective

Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Many refugees continue to make perilous sea journeys on rickety boats to flee the violence.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
But regardless of what happens on Starship’s 13th flight, the vehicle—and the nation—still has a long and perilous journey ahead, with many more test flights to come before bringing astronauts to the moon or anywhere else.

— Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 16 July 2026

Definition of perilous

Adjective

Surrounding areas are under a very serious Level 3 of 4 risk.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
However, the area does have serious needs for infrastructure improvement, such as addressing flooding that has long affected neighborhoods like Argentine during rainy times of year.

— Sofi Zeman July 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of serious

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risks

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risqué

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“Risky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risky. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of risky

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