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Definitions

gamble

[gam-buhl] / ˈgæm bəl /
NOUN
chance, speculation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bet long shot venture wager
STRONG
action fling leap lottery raffle risk spec stab uncertainty
WEAK
outside chance shot in the dark throw of the dice toss up
Antonyms
STRONG
certainty sureness
WEAK
design guard insurance plan protection safeguard
VERB
take a chance on winning
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bet speculate wager
STRONG
back brave challenge dare defy endanger face game hazard imperil jeopardize lot play plunge put risk set stake venture
WEAK
buck the odds cast lots cut the cards flip the coin go for broke lay money on make a bet put faith in put trust in shoot the moon shoot the works stick one's neck out take a flyer tempt fortune trust to luck try one's luck
Antonyms
STRONG
ascend discourage displace dissuade hide remove rise save
WEAK
be careful design ensure guard insure plan safeguard

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.

Now Amazon is exploring bringing the show back — reportedly with Donald Trump Jr. — taking a gamble on the appeal of the Trump name as the era of reality TV fades away.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

The White Sox harbored similar concerns, but they were ready to take the gamble on a two-year deal worth $34 million.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

You won’t fall into a downward spiral of impulsive trading if you require yourself to pause and think before any gamble.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

"Life is a gamble and I'm still playing to win," he wrote on Instagram.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

John had a standing rule that anyone who came into the place to gamble had to check his guns if he had any.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Vocabulary lists containing gamble

Excerpt from "A Raisin in the Sun"

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