risk-averse
Americanadverb
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reluctant to take risks; tending to avoid risks as much as possible.
risk-averse entrepreneurs.
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of or noting a person who invests in stocks, bonds, etc., with lower risks and generally lower rates of return so as to minimize the possibility of financial loss.
risk-averse investors who stick with government bonds.
Etymology
Origin of risk-averse
First recorded in 1960–65; risk ( def. ) + averse ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If it’s the case that El-Sayed has already consolidated the progressive vote, and the undecideds are more moderate, risk-averse Democrats, it could be a very close contest.
From Slate ● Jul. 11, 2026
The report also highlighted challenges including a scarcity or resources, excessive paperwork and officers feeling "demotivated" by negative and overly risk-averse leadership cultures.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Beast Industries in October launched its own clipping service, Vyro, after determining that a more buttoned-up version of this practice would appeal to larger, risk-averse marketers, according to Evan DeFilippis, general manager of Vyro.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
Israel and Iran reach a deal, risk-averse shippers are likely to continue to favor passage around the cape, Gibbs said.
From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026
A more risk-averse leader might use such triumphs as permission to take their foot off the gas.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
