risky

[ ris-kee ]

adjective

, risk·i·er, risk·i·est.

1. attended with or involving risk; hazardous:

   a risky undertaking.

   Synonyms: perilous, dangerous

risky

/ ˈrɪskɪ /

adjective

1. involving danger; perilous

Derived Forms

• ˈriskiness, noun
• ˈriskily, adverb

Other Words From

• riski·ly adverb
• riski·ness noun
• un·risky adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of risky¹

First recorded in 1820–30; risk + -y ¹

Example Sentences

She advises journalists thinking about going independent to “think through if it would be life-altering to be on the risky end of an actual lawsuit.”

From Los Angeles Times

Setting such relationships as the centerpiece for a movie can be risky; audiences may have the expectation that friends don’t have as much potential for drama or roller-coaster emotions as people who are in love.

From Los Angeles Times

Some Trump allies, including billionaire Elon Musk, have argued it is too risky to lose Stefanik's seat as Republicans and Democrats battle for control of the House, which remains too close to call.

From BBC

The murdered teenager’s image is being projected from behind a window, alongside hundreds of young women who continue to make a living in this notoriously risky industry.

From BBC

“I think it’s enormously risky,” he says.

From BBC

Related Words

• delicate
• dicey
• hazardous
• perilous
• precarious
• sensitive
• speculative
• treacherous
• tricky
• uncertain
• unhealthy
• unsafe
• unsound