Synonyms for

Gamble

Verb / ˈgæmbʌl / Another word for gamble — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

to take a risky action in the hope of achieving a desired outcome, usually involving money or some other valuable item

Synonyms & similar words

chance risk takeachance hazard adventure runarisk takechances bet wager risk speculate venture play chance hazard stake lay pledge back invest

Synonyms by register

Formal

speculate venture risk chance

Informal

bet wager chance it take a flyer

Literary

hazard play

Antonyms

save hoard conserve secure protect invest

Common collocations

  • gamble away
  • gamble on
  • gamble with
  • gamble recklessly
  • gamble for high stakes
  • gamble on the future
  • gamble on success

Word family

noun gamble
verb gamble
adjective gambling

Usage note

While 'gamble' can refer to any risky undertaking, it most commonly implies financial risk or betting on uncertain outcomes. It can carry a negative connotation of recklessness.

Example sentences

  1. I decided to gamble on the stock market and ended up making a lot of money.
  2. My dad likes to gamble on football games.
  3. It's not a good idea to gamble with money you can't afford to lose.
  4. He lost all his savings because he couldn't resist the urge to gamble.
  5. She's addicted to gambling and needs help to stop.

Quotes

  • "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it." - Oscar Wilde
  • "You don't gamble to win. You gamble so you can gamble the next day." - Bert Ambrose
  • "Gambling is a principle inherent in human nature." - Edmund Burke

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