Hazard.
Synonyms:
| accident, | chance, | danger, | jeopardy, | risk, |
| casualty, | contingency, | fortuity, | peril, | venture. |
Hazard is the incurring the possibility of loss or harm for the possibility of benefit; danger may have no compensating alternative. In hazard the possibilities of gain or loss are nearly balanced; in risk the possibility of loss is the chief thought; the foolhardy take great risks in mere wantonness; in chance and venture the hope of good predominates; we speak of a merchant's venture, but of an insurance company's risk; one may be driven by circumstances to run a risk; he freely seeks a venture; we speak of the chance of winning, the hazard or risk of losing. Accidents are incalculable; casualties may be to a certain extent anticipated; death and wounds are casualties of battle, certain to happen to some, but uncertain as to whom or how many. A contingency is simply an indeterminable future event, which may or may not be attended with danger or risk. See ACCIDENT; DANGER.
Antonyms:
| assurance, | necessity, | protection, | safety, | surety. |
| certainty, | plan, | safeguard, | security, |