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high-risk

high-risk

54 4.4
Likely to cause big loss or danger
  • adjective
  • /haɪ rɪsk/
translation icon : de alto riesgo
  • Elderly immigrants are targeted as a high-risk population by both the health and social services in Israel.
  • high-risk behavior
  • high-risk sexual behavior
  • high-risk pregnancies

Like this is a very high risk move, like high school.

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Examples

  • Our findings indicate that this is a high-risk group to whom further attention is warranted.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The company's decision to launch a high-risk product could lead to financial ruin if it fails.

  • And three, it's a, it's definitely a high risk, high risk, high return strategy.

  • And the way that I think about debt is it is high risk but high potential.

  • So Spain was like, yes, great idea, high risk, high return.

  • So these are high risk environments.

  • Being an entrepreneur is high risk but potential high return.

  • An irreversible change and a high risk of failure.

  • Well, with the economy in its current condition, I think I'd have to advise against such a high-risk investment.

  • You're in an extremely high-risk situation, Miss Cullen.

Synonyms

dangerous
vshigh-risk
1.5

Likely to cause harm or injury

is used more for likely financial or business losses than physical harm
risky
vshigh-risk
269 3.6

Likely to cause loss, harm, or danger

focuses on situations where loss or failure is very likely rather than just possible
bad
vshigh-risk
  • Specialized
149 7.5

Not likely to be paid back as a debt

applies more broadly to high chance of loss in business or investments
hazardous
vshigh-risk
98 5.2

Likely to cause harm or danger

emphasizes high probability of loss or failure especially in finance or business
dicey
vshigh-risk
  • Informal
30 8.5

Likely to be risky or dangerous because the outcome is uncertain

states that loss or failure is highly likely rather than merely uncertain
speculative
vshigh-risk
  • Specialized
20 7.3

Risky and likely to lose money while aiming for quick profit

is applied to business or finance when loss or failure is highly likely

How Risky

high-risk
54 4.4
risky
269 3.6
risk-free
9 3.5

Surface Forms

high-risk positive

Morphology

high-risk = high + risk (transparent) = high + risk

Formation is a straightforward compound 'high' + 'risk' with the clear meaning 'risk that is high'.

Etymology

The word high-risk is a simple combination of high and risk. High means 'large' or 'great', and risk means 'danger' or 'a chance of loss', so high-risk describes something with a large chance of loss or harm.