risky
Fraught with peril
Risky describes something involving the possibility of loss, harm, or failure.
A risky investment might lose money.
A risky maneuver could go wrong.
The word implies danger without certainty of bad outcome—you might succeed, but the stakes are real: Starting a business is risky, but the potential rewards are worth it.
Fraught with danger
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- unsafeLikely to cause harm
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
- precariousDangerously insecure
dicey · dodgy · touch-and-go · chancy · fraught · exposed · vulnerable · unprotected
Cannot be anticipated
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- iffyUncertain, questionable
tentative · unstable · volatile · variable · unproven · untested · experimental · speculative
Stake on uncertain outcome
- betRisked stake on outcome
- wagerStake on uncertainty
- lotteryRandomized prize distribution
- oddsLikelihood expressed numerically
stakes · poker · blackjack · roulette · craps · ante · all-in · longshot
Carelessly ignoring danger
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
- foolhardyRecklessly bold
- brazenShamelessly bold
- audaciousRecklessly or disrespectfully fearless
daring · bold · brash · provocative · defiant · rebellious · transgressive · taboo
Emergency response hormone
- extremeFurthest from moderate
- daredevilReckless risk-taker
- stuntDangerous feat for spectacle
- skydivingRecreational freefall from aircraft
bungee · wingsuit · motocross · whitewater · freerunning · highwire · death-defying
Risky new undertaking
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
- stocksOwnership stakes or inventory
- tradingExchanging for value
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
startups · futures · options · commodities · forex · leverage · volatility · day-trading
Organized exploratory journey
- questSeeking journey for something
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- odysseyExtended adventurous journey
- journeyTravel from place to place
voyage · trek · safari · excursion · mountaineering · diving · caving · rafting
Without safeguard or shield
- contagiousTransmissible between people
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- toxicCapable of causing harm
- contaminatedMade impure by contact
unhygienic · unvaccinated · experimental · untested · smoking · overdose · sedentary · obesity
perilous
Fraught with danger
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- unsafeLikely to cause harm
- treacherousDisloyal and dangerous
precarious · dicey · dodgy · touch-and-go · chancy · fraught · exposed · vulnerable · unprotected · insecure
unpredictable
Cannot be anticipated
- unreliableNot consistently performing
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
iffy · tentative · unstable · volatile · variable · unproven · untested · experimental · speculative · unknown
gamble
Stake on uncertain outcome
odds · stakes · poker · blackjack · roulette · craps · ante · all-in · longshot · high-roller
reckless
Carelessly ignoring danger
audacious · daring · bold · brash · provocative · defiant · rebellious · transgressive · taboo · controversial
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
skydiving · bungee · wingsuit · motocross · whitewater · freerunning · highwire · death-defying
venture
Risky new undertaking
- investmentDeploying capital for returns
- stocksOwnership stakes or inventory
- tradingExchanging for value
speculation · startups · futures · options · commodities · forex · leverage · volatility · day-trading · arbitrage
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- questSeeking journey for something
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- odysseyExtended adventurous journey
journey · voyage · trek · safari · excursion · mountaineering · diving · caving · rafting · sailing
unprotected
Without safeguard or shield
- contagiousTransmissible between people
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- toxicCapable of causing harm
contaminated · unhygienic · unvaccinated · experimental · untested · smoking · overdose · sedentary · obesity · addiction
- safety labelssafe, unsafe, dangerous, hazardous, toxic
- unpredictableunpredictable, uncertain, unreliable, erratic, inconsistent
- playstylesaggressive, defensive, passive, casual, competitive
- Safety Termssafe, unsafe, hazardous, dangerous, protected
- danger wordshazard, peril, threat, danger zone, menace
- Precariousnessprecarious, unstable, teetering, tottering, wobbly
riskycertain
Free from doubt
sure · assured · guaranteed · reliable · predictable
- at riskSubject to danger
- take a riskAct despite uncertain outcome
- take risksAccept uncertain outcomes willingly
- high riskSubstantial chance of loss
- calculated riskHazard taken deliberately
- at your own risk
risk, risked, risks, risking, riskiness, risk-free, riskiest, riskier, riskily