at stake

phrase

: at issue : in jeopardy
Millions of dollars are at stake.
Many lives/jobs are at stake.

Examples of at stake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
About 38 percent are mandated by law, concentrated where safety and public trust are at stake. — Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 Historical examples are useful here, in particular the Vietnam War, during which American credibility was at stake in unprecedented ways. — Christopher Nichols, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026 Billions of dollars could be at stake, a potentially serious threat to the industry, according to court documents. — Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026 People in the crowd said their neighborhood is at stake, while Amtrak supporters say this will provide a safe space for Amtrak workers. — Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at stake

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at stake was in 1609

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At stake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20stake. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!