endanger

verb

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

Example Sentences

Parents feared that the dog could endanger their children. The severe drought has endangered crops throughout the area.
Recent Examples on the Web Police said Reyes faces charges of kidnapping, abandoning or endangering a child and auto theft. Isabella Volmert, Dallas News, 17 May 2023 My research on using mRNA vaccines for cattle respiratory viruses has been referenced by social media users and anti-vaccine activists who say that using these vaccines in animals will endanger the health of people who eat them. David Verhoeven, The Conversation, 17 May 2023 The species, found only in Delaware and Maryland, is already listed as endangered in Delaware. Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2023 Aniya Sierra Lightford, 27, of the 700 block of West Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, was arrested on a warrant and on charges of endangering the health/life of a child and obstructing justice at 9:34 a.m. May 12 in the 800 block of South Washington Street. Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2023 Their numbers are decreasing, and the animal is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, a database of vulnerable animals. Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 16 May 2023 The Bengal tiger is considered endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species, according to the zoo. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 15 May 2023 In poll after poll, residents report feeling endangered by a pervasive sense of lawlessness, even as violent crime remains at its lowest level since the 1960s. Nora Mishanec, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 May 2023 On March 29, the Oregon Health Authority denied Legacy’s request to close the birthing center, saying the closure could endanger pregnant patients and their babies. The Oregonian, oregonlive, 13 May 2023 See More

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 29 May. 2023.

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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