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
Devika Rao, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
Satellite firms like SpaceX and other countries have envisioned operating tens of thousands of internet satellites in Earth’s low orbit, raising the risk of interference even more.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Without real-time analytics, companies risk empty shelves, missed delivery windows, and losing customers to more reliable competitors.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for risk 
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.
Noun
Injecting diamond particles into the atmosphere could provide the benefits of sulfur dioxide while curbing some of the risks, said a study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
—Devika Rao, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
Satellite firms like SpaceX and other countries have envisioned operating tens of thousands of internet satellites in Earth’s low orbit, raising the risk of interference even more.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
Closing schools not only disrupts families but also risks weakening the district by driving further enrollment declines.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Without real-time analytics, companies risk empty shelves, missed delivery windows, and losing customers to more reliable competitors.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for risk
Dictionary Entries Near risk
Cite this Entry
“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risk. Accessed 23 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share