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
1
as in hazards
to take a chance on
Colette didn't want to risk running out of food for her party, so she bought twice what she thought she would actually need
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in endangers
to place in danger
we refuse to risk our life savings on this investment scheme
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Jenni Reid,ganesh Rao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
But being cautious doesn’t mean ignoring the risks.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
The landscape and even definitions of these risks are evolving and are deeply intertwined.
—Josh Lemos, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Others say that approach risks keeping critical documents under wraps and delays a fuller accounting.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Kristen Moon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Still, having one’s ideas confirmed too often risks complacency.
—Nathaniel Moore
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
In two seasons, released in 2022 and 2025, the show traverses the Star Wars galaxy to show what means people employ to consolidate power and what risks others take to stop empire.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
Additionally, the organization risks losing institutional knowledge whenever a gig engineer leaves.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
As aid groups say famine has already taken hold, the assault risks the lives of remaining hostages—captured by Hamas in its October 2023 attack—while Netanyahu faces mounting political turmoil at home, even as Washington continues to hold Hamas responsible for prolonging the conflict.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
If the effort once again stalls, reform advocates say, Congress risks squandering what may be its best chance in a decade to act.
—Nik Popli, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
At the Founder’s Day Pyre, where Dort wants to honor Wednesday and her friends for saving Nevermore last semester, the stalker hides Wednesday’s only copy of her novel in the Pyre, which is shaped like a Raven, and Wednesday risks her life to recover the manuscript.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
One major concern experts have flagged is liquidity risks in private asset funds.
—Jenni Reid,ganesh Rao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
But being cautious doesn’t mean ignoring the risks.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
The landscape and even definitions of these risks are evolving and are deeply intertwined.
—Josh Lemos, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Others say that approach risks keeping critical documents under wraps and delays a fuller accounting.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Consult authority when… The issue involves legal matters, risks patient safety, or breaks institutional rules, such as elder abuse, falsified records, or medication issues.
—Kristen Moon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Still, having one’s ideas confirmed too often risks complacency.
—Nathaniel Moore
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
In two seasons, released in 2022 and 2025, the show traverses the Star Wars galaxy to show what means people employ to consolidate power and what risks others take to stop empire.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
Additionally, the organization risks losing institutional knowledge whenever a gig engineer leaves.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
As aid groups say famine has already taken hold, the assault risks the lives of remaining hostages—captured by Hamas in its October 2023 attack—while Netanyahu faces mounting political turmoil at home, even as Washington continues to hold Hamas responsible for prolonging the conflict.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
If the effort once again stalls, reform advocates say, Congress risks squandering what may be its best chance in a decade to act.
—Nik Popli, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
At the Founder’s Day Pyre, where Dort wants to honor Wednesday and her friends for saving Nevermore last semester, the stalker hides Wednesday’s only copy of her novel in the Pyre, which is shaped like a Raven, and Wednesday risks her life to recover the manuscript.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risks
Noun
-
The threats are sometimes even leveled against family members.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Looking at the depth chart, the Eagles now have three threats coming out of the backfield.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Beach hazards statements alert the public to dangerous water conditions that could become life-threatening in some instances.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Yet there is a clear Republican divide over whether Kennedy’s changes at the CDC should be celebrated or considered a grave error that endangers Americans’ health.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Drivers running late are more prone to speeding, which endangers lives.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Rip currents are the deadliest of surf-zone dangers, making up the majority of deaths among beach swimmers every year, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the dangers to children and families are mounting.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Before too long, though, Sacrifice ventures off into much stranger, more sincere territory, becoming a drama that mulls over surrendering to a higher power.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Nix, though, still ventures too far into perfectionist mode sometimes.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Cook’s lawyers also argued that allowing her to be fired threatens the bank’s independence and the nation’s economic stability.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The agency warned that without swift action, the trend threatens to fuel a surge in diabetes, heart disease and other serious health problems among the next generation.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Your heart’s in the right place, but your approach needs work as the moon confronts Mars.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Laura confronts Cherry about Nicholas and swears to tell Daniel everything.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Precipitation chances in Little Rock fell on Friday, with temperatures remaining below average.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Thunderstorms chances drop on Thursday through the weekend (chances at 5% or below).—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Risks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risks. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share