security risk

American  

noun

1. a person considered by authorities as likely to commit acts that might threaten the security of a country.

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security risk British  

noun

1. a person deemed to be a threat to state security in that he could be open to pressure, have subversive political beliefs, etc

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Etymology

Origin of security risk

First recorded in 1950–55

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

security risk

“Cleland did not engage in unlawful activity or otherwise take any action suggesting that she posed a security risk during this time period,” the lawsuit states.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Somalia's government has told the BBC it is concerned about WhatsApp's plan to launch a new feature that would let people chat using usernames rather than phone numbers, saying it could pose a security risk.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

The bigger danger for the company is the reputational hit that could come with being seen as a security risk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

National Guard unit deemed his tattoos to be a security risk — citing concerns about “insider threats” — and he was not allowed to work the security detail for President Biden’s 2021 inauguration.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

Yet no matter how careful they were, the military still saw them as a security risk.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

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