RISKY Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

risky

adjective

ˈri-skē

Definition of risky

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury a risky new adventure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Experts at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania are embarking on a study to see if the drugs can deter risky financial decisions. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 With other approaches on the table, using a donor’s tissue may already be an unnecessarily risky strategy. — Mike McRae 21, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026 New England has solidified its pass protection lately but Maye can get somewhat risky. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 All of those decisions are risky, and Apple’s riskiest decision was the Duo’s size and shape. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for risky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for risky

Adjective

In November 2021, crew members took shelter inside their spacecraft after a Russian anti-satellite weapons test created a dangerous cloud of debris.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
In 2015, Chicago’s public health department identified three cases of invasive meningococcal disease, a highly dangerous pathogen that can kill within hours.

— Julie Morita, Time, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

If enough collisions occur, certain orbital regions could become extremely hazardous for future missions.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Today, the vast majority of this hazardous waste remains locked in temporary storage facilities across the globe.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

One soldier waited two days for help and could not walk; the drone’s flight to safety took less than 15 minutes, illustrating its potential to replace perilous ground rescues.

— Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The truckers that have managed to ferry water into Taiz have in some cases tripled their rates to make the perilous journey.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of perilous

Adjective

The Tallahassee Police Department said in a statement that 11 of the 12 were shot and that three victims had serious injuries, with one minor in serious condition.

— Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
Bake this classic all the way through for a light and tender crumb, or cut the bake time short for serious gooey goodness in the center.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of serious

Browse Nearby Words

risks

risky

risqué

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Risky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/risky. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of risky

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes