1
: possibility of loss or injury : peril
2
: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard
3
a
: the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract
also
: the degree of probability of such loss
b
: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
c
: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
war risk
4
: the chance that an investment (such as a stock or commodity) will lose value
risked; risking; risks
1
: to expose to hazard or danger
risked her life
2
: to incur the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck
risker
noun
Synonyms
Examples of risk in a Sentence
Noun
I prefer not to expose my money to too much risk.
The degree of risk is minimal.
All investments have an element of risk.
The trip didn't seem like much of a risk.
I'm aware of the risks associated with this treatment.
There is a risk of liver damage with this medication.
Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the risk of injury or death in a car accident.
We feel that this product presents a significant risk to public health.
To me, skydiving is not worth the risk.
Smoking is a risk to your lungs.
Verb
She risked her life to save her children.
He risked all his money on starting his own business.
He risked breaking his neck.
She's risking being considered too sentimental.
The country risked a war.
brave people who risked being killed to help others
I'm not willing to risk getting lost. I'm going to buy a map.
The company is risking the loss of millions of dollars.
It's not wise to risk traveling so soon after surgery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
It is rumored that an internal report on the risks of AGI may be what ignited the recent board drama at OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.
—Fadi Chehadé, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
Here’s why vulnerable tenants and taxpayers are at risk.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed the Kansas City area under an enhanced risk of severe weather.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024
The list of countries deemed high risk includes many where the influx of U.S.-made weapons have been linked to widespread violence, including Vietnam, Jamaica, Indonesia and Pakistan as well as countries in the Organization of American States, which includes much of Central and South America.
—David Kocieniewski / Bloomberg, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Bird flu outbreak poses no risk to safety of America’s food supply, say experts
Health officials say the food supply is safe and the risk to the general public is currently low.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024
More:Wisconsin's wildfire season is beginning fast, with risk above normal
More:What to expect for Wisconsin's wildfire season
On Sunday, April 14, most counties in Wisconsin had a high or very high fire danger.
—Journal Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2024
Introducing new fire risks to heavily trafficked ports with combustible cargoes is also dangerous — imagine the threats to safety, the environment and property if a DPF ignites on a tugboat carrying 110,000 barrels of fuel.
—Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024
Bernard Condon, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
In South Bend, students risked suspension or expulsion for having an unauthorized demonstration.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Apr. 2024
The rumor passing through the crowd was that anyone who did not leave the lawn by 11 A.M. would be risking suspension, and possibly arrest.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2024
His latest survey shows that nearly two-thirds of voters are worried that rates will stay high if Mr. Biden wins re-election, suggesting that the president risks paying a political price for borrowing costs that are largely out of his control.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The measure was resisted by hardline Republicans but finally advanced after House Speaker Mike Johnson, who initially blocked the package, risked his speakership by backing it.
—USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
Throw in a set of wispy fringe, heavy layers, or sharp angles—and you're set with a fresh look that doesn't risk any sort of post-salon regret.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2024
Without it, the pregnant patient risks serious infection, detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall and other complications.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2024
The regional dimension of competition has become even more intense over the last decade, as the Arab uprisings highlighted how political developments throughout the region may risk the survival of any domestic regime.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
Noun
Hilton’s choice to continue carrying her pregnancy increased the risk to her own health, her doctors told her.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
It is rumored that an internal report on the risks of AGI may be what ignited the recent board drama at OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.
—Fadi Chehadé, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
Here’s why vulnerable tenants and taxpayers are at risk.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024
The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center has placed the Kansas City area under an enhanced risk of severe weather.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024
The list of countries deemed high risk includes many where the influx of U.S.-made weapons have been linked to widespread violence, including Vietnam, Jamaica, Indonesia and Pakistan as well as countries in the Organization of American States, which includes much of Central and South America.
—David Kocieniewski / Bloomberg, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
Bird flu outbreak poses no risk to safety of America’s food supply, say experts
Health officials say the food supply is safe and the risk to the general public is currently low.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024
More:Wisconsin's wildfire season is beginning fast, with risk above normal
More:What to expect for Wisconsin's wildfire season
On Sunday, April 14, most counties in Wisconsin had a high or very high fire danger.
—Journal Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2024
Introducing new fire risks to heavily trafficked ports with combustible cargoes is also dangerous — imagine the threats to safety, the environment and property if a DPF ignites on a tugboat carrying 110,000 barrels of fuel.
—Thomas Catenacci, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024
Verb
Still, amateur traders, mostly risking no more than a few thousand dollars each, say the stock is too volatile to declare victory yet.
—Bernard Condon, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
In South Bend, students risked suspension or expulsion for having an unauthorized demonstration.
—Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Apr. 2024
The rumor passing through the crowd was that anyone who did not leave the lawn by 11 A.M. would be risking suspension, and possibly arrest.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2024
His latest survey shows that nearly two-thirds of voters are worried that rates will stay high if Mr. Biden wins re-election, suggesting that the president risks paying a political price for borrowing costs that are largely out of his control.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The measure was resisted by hardline Republicans but finally advanced after House Speaker Mike Johnson, who initially blocked the package, risked his speakership by backing it.
—USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
Throw in a set of wispy fringe, heavy layers, or sharp angles—and you're set with a fresh look that doesn't risk any sort of post-salon regret.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2024
Without it, the pregnant patient risks serious infection, detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall and other complications.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2024
The regional dimension of competition has become even more intense over the last decade, as the Arab uprisings highlighted how political developments throughout the region may risk the survival of any domestic regime.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'risk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near risk
Cite this Entry
“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risk. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
risk
1 of 2 noun1
: possibility of loss or injury
2
: someone or something that presents a risk
a bad risk
a good credit risk
risk
2 of 2 verb1
: to expose to danger
risked her life
2
: to take the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck
Medical Definition
risk
noun1
: possibility of loss, injury, disease, or death
hypertension increases the risk of stroke
2
: a person considered in terms of the possible bad effects of a particular course of treatment
a poor surgical risk
Legal Definition
risk
noun1
a
: possibility of loss or injury
b
: liability for loss or injury if it occurs
the risk of loss passes to the buyer when the goods are duly delivered to the carrier—Uniform Commercial Code
Uniform Commercial Codethe risk of personal injury and property damage should be placed with the manufacturer rather than the consumer—Case & Comment
Case & Comment2
a
: the chance of loss to the subject matter of an insurance contract : uncertainty with regard to loss
also
: the degree of probability of such loss compare peril
b
: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
a poor risk for insurance
c
: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
a war risk
riskless
adjective
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