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endanger

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

Definition of endanger

transitive verb

: to bring into danger or peril recklessly endangering innocent lives

intransitive verb

: to create a dangerous situation driving to endanger
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Other Words from endanger

endangerment \ in-​ˈdān-​jər-​mənt How to pronounce endangerment (audio) , en-​ \ 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 Brown, 38, was charged Tuesday with murder and endangering the welfare of a child. — Theo Wayt, NBC News, "4-year-old girl 'killed brutally' by caretaker in Philadelphia, DA says," 13 Nov. 2019 Ozbilgen was arrested at his home Friday and charged with one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child – possession of child pornography, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office says in a statement. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE.com, "Missing N.J. Makeup Artist’s Ex Is Person of Interest in Disappearance, Charged With Child Porn," 12 Nov. 2019 Davonna Reed, 32, of Springfield Township was charged with child endangering and obstructing justice, both felonies, according to Akron Municipal Court records. — Robin Goist, cleveland, "Akron-area mother charged after 3-month-old daughter hospitalized with 0.359% blood alcohol level, police say," 7 Nov. 2019 AVs could siphon off riders who might otherwise take public transportation, endangering systems that millions of people rely upon. — Scientific American, "Self-driving cars to test city limits," 5 Nov. 2019 While supporters and right-wing conservatives argue that the policy is healthy for freedom of speech, critics have lambasted Facebook for endangering democracy by providing an unhindered online soapbox for falsehoods. — Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Twitter Is Banning Political Ads Ahead of the 2020 Election," 31 Oct. 2019 Waterville Police charged him with having a loaded rifle in the car and endangering the welfare of a child. — BostonGlobe.com, "A 29-year-old mother of twin daughters was found dead Wednesday in her basement in Waterville, Maine, and police have arrested the girls’ father, authorities said.," 25 Oct. 2019 Nelson also faces charges in Kansas of endangering the food supply. — Washington Post, "Missouri farmer charged in killing of Wisconsin brothers," 23 Oct. 2019 In August, firefighters rescued four children from a burning St. Louis home and charged both parents with endangering their welfare. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Woman in custody after St. Louis fire that killed infant," 21 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'endanger.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of endanger

1964, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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Statistics for endanger

Last Updated

16 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for endanger

The first known use of endanger was in 1964

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More Definitions for endanger

endanger

verb
How to pronounce endanger (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of endanger

: to cause (someone or something) to be in a dangerous place or situation

See the full definition for endanger in the English Language Learners Dictionary

endanger

verb
en·​dan·​ger | \ in-ˈdān-jər How to pronounce endanger (audio) \
endangered; endangering

Kids Definition of endanger

: to expose to possible harm : risk

endanger

transitive verb
en·​dan·​ger

Legal Definition of endanger

: to bring into danger or peril

intransitive verb

: to create a dangerous situation charged with driving to endanger

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More from Merriam-Webster on endanger

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for endanger

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with endanger

Spanish Central: Translation of endanger

Nglish: Translation of endanger for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of endanger for Arabic Speakers

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