risks

NOUN

chance taken

Synonyms

STRONGEST

danger exposure hazard liability opportunity peril possibility prospect uncertainty

STRONG

accident contingency flyer fortuity fortune gamble header jeopardy luck openness plunge speculation stab venture wager

WEAK

exposedness liableness shot in the dark

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certainty safety security

STRONG

misfortune plan protection reality truth

WEAK

sureness surety

VERB

take a chance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compromise defy endanger imperil jeopardize

STRONG

adventure beard brave chance confront dare encounter face gamble hazard jeopardy meet menace peril plunge speculate tackle venture wager

WEAK

be caught short defy danger expose to danger go out of one's depth hang by a thread leap before looking leave to luck play with fire put in jeopardy run the chance run the risk skate on thin ice take a flyer take a header take a plunge take on take the liberty

Antonyms

STRONGEST

guard protect save

STRONG

avoid be careful design dodge hide neglect plan retreat run away

WEAK

be certain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For sailors, sailing through Hormuz meant taking extraordinary risks.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

She doesn’t think her son should have had to choose between living in poverty at home and the many risks of the migrant trail.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

In March of 2006 for instance, it put out a paper titled “Prime or Not So Prime” that detailed the risks posed by the securitization of subprime loans in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 30, 2026

It recommends the new annual checks cover not just the main symptoms, but also longer-term associated risks, such as diabetes and heart disease.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

“Maybe I just know different risks than the ones you know.”

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson