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 This shift has become more apparent over the last two years, as some venture capital investors have moved their focus from riskier early-stage startups to later-stage companies that are more established, according to insiders. Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025 Reparations legislation now on the governor’s desk, though morally grounded, is politically risky. Marc Lester, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025 For Newsom and California, challenging Trump in court is a bit risky. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025 The first trailer for Sinners dropped in September and didn’t really make a splash, hence the worrisome buzz that floated around about the movie for quite some time as one of the risky ~$100M auteur feature productions (net $90M+) under the Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy administration. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for risky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for risky
Adjective
  • The most dangerous enemy of a successful business is complacency.
    Robert Balentine, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Reading back over her sister’s occasionally gossipy letters, maybe Cassie thought those qualities were just too dangerous to reveal publicly.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Although with the right tools, tough jobs can be a lot easier, faster, and even less hazardous in the case of sharp tools.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Allowed to crumble into disrepair by its owners, the Meruelo family, the famous hotel was ordered demolished by the city as a hazardous structure.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The original film tells the story of a perilous trip undertaken by Hikari 109, a high-speed, first-generation bullet train traveling from Tokyo to Hakata.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Albi opened in early 2020, a perilous time for any new business to kick off.
    Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But legal experts said a criminal contempt finding would be a serious step to be avoided.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • The restaurant sector must get in the game in order to make a serious dent on improving customer health.
    Hank Cardello, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Risky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risky. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on risky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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