imperil

verb

im·​per·​il im-ˈper-əl 

-ˈpe-rəl

imperiled or imperilled; imperiling or imperilling

transitive verb

: to bring into peril : endanger

imperilment

im-ˈper-əl-mənt 

-ˈpe-rəl-

noun

Synonyms

• adventure
• compromise
• endanger
• gamble (with)
• hazard
• jeopard
• jeopardize
• menace
• peril
• risk
• venture

Examples of imperil in a Sentence

The toxic fumes imperiled the lives of the trapped miners.

The financial health of the company was imperiled by a string of bad investments.

a list of imperiled species

Recent Examples on the Web

Buffett and Abel spoke at length about the need for more electric generating capacity, but that the liability threat imperils the attractiveness of Berkshire’s future capital spending in the business. —Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

The administration has also imperiled ongoing research, including studies and trials related to chronic disease. —Stephanie Armour, CNN Money, 6 May 2025

Museums are imperiled by acute financial, social, and ideological challenges. —Eric Crosby, Artforum, 1 May 2025

Israeli leaders seem bent on understanding their country as imperiled. —Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inperiled, from in- in- entry 2 + peril peril entry 1 + -ed -ed entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for imperil

• carbaryl
• glyceryl
• beryl
• feral
• karel
• peril
• seral
• sterile
• sterol
• cholesteryl
• sitosterol
• tocopherol

Kids Definition

imperil

verb

im·​per·​il im-ˈper-əl 

imperiled or imperilled; imperiling or imperilling

: to place in great danger : endanger

imperilment

-əl-mənt 

noun