risks 1 of 2

Definition of risksnext
plural of risk
as in threats
something that may cause injury or harm mountain climbing is a risk, but the thrill and challenge are worth it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

risks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of risk

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 risks
Noun
Botin and the Spanish started taking risks, breaking out to the far side of the course in a bid to get a winning split on the Australians, but to no avail. Andrew Rice, New York Times, 11 May 2026 Highlighting his emergency response to the Palisades Fire, Allen has a four step plan to stabilize the market, hold the industry accountable, transform the Department into a rapid-response agency and reduce risks. Teagan Davidge, Oc Register, 10 May 2026 The problem is that breach notices are becoming a regular part of life, even though the risks can last long after the notice arrives. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2026 The United States could create safe-looking assets foreign investors wanted, but its financial system did not always allocate the incoming capital productively; too much flowed into housing, leverage, and complex securities whose risks were badly mispriced. James Broughel, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026 The network's early years were marked by rapid innovation, creative risks and a distinct blend of music, style and attitude that defined the decade. Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026 Port workers in Tenerife have also held protests, voicing their concerns about a lack of communication about the potential risks. Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 10 May 2026 To minimize risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises incorporating frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026 Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said Sunday that the longer the Iran war goes on, the greater the risks of higher inflation and economic damage, all of which limit how much guidance the central bank should provide on rate policy right now. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Verb
In taking on such an iconic figure—one whose compositions have been deconstructed and reconstructed in seemingly every possible direction—the group risks revealing the method to its madness. Levi Dayan, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026 Selina, the slenderest of all the girls, risks her life to salvage it. Literary Hub, 11 May 2026 Of course, with any tiny mishap or delay, like unexpected traffic, a long security line or an early departure, the traveler risks missing their flight. Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026 If access to education becomes more constrained at the same time, talent is more mobile than ever; the state risks losing both students and long-term economic contributors. Lola W. Brabham, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026 Should progressives prevail, the state risks an exodus that could erode its tax base, slow innovation, and undermine the very programs the policy aims to support. Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 That approach risks overreach and unintended consequences — especially for small businesses, working families and local economies already under pressure. Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026 The message is less about robots taking over and more about what humanity risks losing on its own through allowing AI to have so much influence on our lives. Steve Spaleta, Space.com, 1 May 2026 Framing this as a divide between suburban taxpayers and urban students risks deepening inequities rather than solving them. Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risks
Noun
  • Colorado homeowners were among the least likely in the nation to have purchased supplemental insurance riders (53%), even as wildfires, severe storms, and flooding continue to pose real threats.
    Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
  • The incident occurred as Minneapolis faced tensions from federal immigration enforcement operations, reflecting a broader uptick in threats against Congress members in recent years.
    Tim Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Forecasters say confidence is lower in the exact timing, where storms will be strongest, and which hazards will be most likely.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Clothes Iron and Steamer Many cruise lines have policies forbidding the use of clothes irons and steamers and won’t allow these fire hazards onboard.
    Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Trump has accused Pope Leo XIV of being soft on terrorism and supporting negotiations with Iran, claiming the pontiff endangers Catholics by failing to oppose Iran’s potential acquisition of nuclear weapons.
    Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • The teaser also reveals that the titular character has a huge company, which endangers millions with a drilling operation that goes too far.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The optics of the ceremony soon sparked backlash from the faithful and religious leaders, many of whom drew a parallel to biblical scripture Exodus 32, which warns believers about the dangers of creating false idols and worshiping other gods.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
  • Blanchett has long been vocal about the dangers of AI.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • For Coel, that story sometimes ventures beyond friendship.
    Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Magaletti ventures a tentative introduction of brushes on snares; following the muted peal of distant thunder, upsammy chimes in with a plangent synthesizer sequence reminiscent of Arovane and other IDM producers from around the turn of the millennium.
    Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This uncertainty hampers long-term planning and threatens essential services like smaller class sizes and mental health support.
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
  • The fights span Hood and Somervell counties, where neighbors say industrial development threatens water, wildlife, tourism and quality of life.
    Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • The dinner scene with Niall’s mum, Lori (Neve McIntosh), and Ruben’s mum, Maura (Marianne McIvor) — when Joanna confronts them over Ruben’s behaviour — is both chilling and cathartic.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 8 May 2026
  • During a particularly tense visit to his Florida home in her early 20s, Konkle confronts her dad about being inappropriate with her and other female friends.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Rain chances for the weekend have adjusted.
    Ron Smiley, CBS News, 8 May 2026
  • The cloudy skies will gradually turn just partly cloudy, as rain chances ease to 70%.
    Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Risks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risks. Accessed 13 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on risks

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster