endanger

verb

en·​dan·​ger in-ˈdān-jər How to pronounce endanger (audio)
en-
endangered; endangering in-ˈdān-jə-riŋ How to pronounce endanger (audio)
-ˈdānj-riŋ,
en-

transitive verb

: to bring into danger or peril
recklessly endangering innocent lives

intransitive verb

: to create a dangerous situation
driving to endanger
endangerment noun

Examples of endanger in a Sentence

Parents feared that the dog could endanger their children. The severe drought has endangered crops throughout the area.
Recent Examples on the Web Without congressional action, the State Department could run out of such visas by the end of summer, endangering thousands of Afghans seeking safety in the U.S. The news was welcomed by advocacy groups. Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2024 Crawfish play a major role in Louisiana’s culture and economy, but drought conditions have endangered this year’s harvest. Hayden Begley, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 The new ordinance requires mobility device operators to obey all traffic laws observed by other vehicle drivers and not endanger themselves, passengers or pedestrians. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 The report found, among other things, that delays and a lack of coordination between Tribal, state and federal agencies often prevent investigators from being successful in solving cases involving missing or endangered American Indian and Alaska Native people. Chelsea Bailey, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Related Articles Sunflower sea stars are critically endangered, but can humans help the species rebound? John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 Smaller females are having fewer young Understanding reproductive patterns is essential for supporting species that are critically endangered. Joshua Reed, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2024 In the trial, jurors will determine whether 20th could have provided Dunbar a workaround to getting the vaccine without endangering others. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Carlton Young of Milwaukee was charged Wednesday with endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon and first-degree recklessly endangering safety. Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'endanger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of endanger was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near endanger

Cite this Entry

“Endanger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endanger. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

endanger

verb
en·​dan·​ger in-ˈdān-jər How to pronounce endanger (audio)
endangered; endangering -ˈdānj-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce endanger (audio)
: to bring into danger or peril
endangerment noun

Legal Definition

endanger

transitive verb
en·​dan·​ger
: to bring into danger or peril

intransitive verb

: to create a dangerous situation
charged with driving to endanger

More from Merriam-Webster on endanger

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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