Synonym Chooser

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Examples of risky In comparison, firefighting seems like a risky, manual job with an aging workforce that requires outdated tools and skills foreign to the new, young workers. Jason Cerrano, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2025 Surgery can be risky and irreversible, while medications often bring unpleasant side effects and a risk of regaining weight once treatment stops. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2025 Sydney Sweeney is an aspiring country singer who concocts a risky scheme to get some cash in the trailer for Americana. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025 Something about this one note prompted even this pitiful creature to a risky gesture of mercy. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for risky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risky
Adjective
  • Maddison is responsible for dropping deep and pinging passes into dangerous areas, while Kulusevski and Bergvall are excellent ball-carriers.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 May 2025
  • In the movie, Cruise’s Ethan Hunt must face his most dangerous enemy yet in the form of an AI known as the Entity.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • The cities with some of the highest rates of poverty and the most people of color have borne the burden of the state’s hazardous waste facilities.
    Sarah McCoy, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025
  • The broad set-up doesn’t look close to hazardous, giddy excess yet.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • However, the state remains in one of the most perilous parts of the U.S. coastline for rising sea levels.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
  • So Far After the duo were able to make it all the way from Jackson to Seattle without incident, the city itself quickly proves perilous.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 4 May 2025
Adjective
  • But critics across the political spectrum, including some Republicans, say the arrangement raises serious legal and constitutional questions—especially given Trump’s private business ties in the region and the shadow of past emoluments controversies.
    Nik Popli, Time, 12 May 2025
  • The dearth of serious voting impediments is long-standing finding in polls.
    Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Risky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risky. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on risky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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