risk-averse

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

1. Unwilling to take risks; especially (economics) reluctant to accept a bargain with an uncertain payoff rather than another bargain with a more certain, but possibly lower, expected payoff.
   • 2022 November 30, Anthony Lambert, “Rail fares fit for the 21st century”, in RAIL, number 971, page 40:

     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."

   • 2024 January 30, Phil McNulty, “Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal: Gunners in title race after they close gap to leaders Liverpool”, in BBC Sport‎:

     Arsenal were untroubled elsewhere, Forest's risk-averse gameplan making it a relatively easy night for their defenders until Awoniyi emerged after being out with injury since October, finally giving them something to think about.