risk-averse

[risk-uh-vurs]

adverb

1. reluctant to take risks; tending to avoid risks as much as possible.

   risk-averse entrepreneurs.

2. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of risk-averse¹

First recorded in 1960–65; risk ( def. ) + averse ( def. )

Example Sentences

Philadelphia’s quarterback is a Super Bowl MVP who can’t shake the perception that he’s too risk-averse, too reliant on his legs, and not maximizing the Philadelphia attack.

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The report said the UK has excessively risk-averse policies in place, including "overly conservative" rules on radiation exposure levels for workers.

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The decline has been caused by a combination of a more hawkish-than-expected Federal Reserve and a shift toward more risk-averse market dynamics, with the drop ultimately leading to liquidation of leveraged positions and sales of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds.

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Oneglia: There have been reports that the Germans, who tend to be risk-averse, are coming to the German stock market in greater numbers than previously.

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To wit, November tends to be a risk-averse month on Wall Street as employees start focusing on annual bonuses that represent the bulk of their annual compensation.

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