high-risk

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈhaɪˈrɪsk/ 🇺🇸 /ˈhaɪˈrɪsk/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Involving or exposing to a high degree of risk or danger; likely to result in failure, loss, or harm.; Relating to investments or financial activities that carry a greater chance of loss but also potential for higher returns.; Describing a person or group with a greater likelihood of developing a disease or condition.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Collocations

high-risk behaviorhigh-risk pregnancyhigh-risk patienthigh-risk investmenthigh-risk grouphigh-risk area

Derivatives

riskyriskinessriskily

Synonyms

riskydangeroushazardousperilousprecarious

Antonyms

low-risksafesecure

Commonly confused

high-stakes
EN: 'high-stakes' emphasizes large amounts at stake (e.g., money, reputation), while 'high-risk' emphasizes the probability or degree of danger or negative outcome.
risky
EN: 'risky' is a general adjective meaning involving risk; 'high-risk' specifically denotes an elevated or severe level of risk, often used in technical or formal contexts.

Spelling tips

EN: Always hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a high-risk patient'). Do not write as two separate words ('high risk patient') in attributive position.

💬 Examples

  1. The surgeon warned that it was a high-risk operation with a low success rate.

  2. High-risk bonds often offer higher yields to compensate investors for the increased danger of default.

  3. Smokers are considered a high-risk group for lung cancer.