risk-averse

Adjective

risk-averse (comparative more risk-averse, superlative most risk-averse)

1. Unwilling to take risks.
   • Near-synonyms: conservative; reluctant; cautious
   • The answer, says Mark Smith (The Man in Seat 61) is "to reassure the risk-averse Treasury that prices within a new structure will not be difficult to adjust if calculations to achieve revenue neutrality are out by 2% or whatever. You're not stuck with the prices you implement on Day 1."2022 November 30, Anthony Lambert, “Rail fares fit for the 21st century”, in RAIL, number 971, page 40

   Synonyms:

   conservative, reluctant, cautious

   Antonyms:

   bold, daring, courageous, hearty

2. Reluctant to accept a bargain with an uncertain payoff rather than another bargain with a more certain, but possibly lower, expected payoff.