imperil

1 of 2

verb

im·​per·​il im-ˈper-əl 

-ˈpe-rəl

imperiled or imperilled; imperiling or imperilling

transitive verb

: to bring into peril : endanger

a reckless act that imperiled us all

a list of imperiled species

imperilment

im-ˈper-əl-mənt 

-ˈpe-rəl-

noun

imperilment

2 of 2

noun

im·​per·​il·​ment -mənt 

plural -s

: the act of imperiling or the state of being imperiled

cut down on the convoy escort to the imperilment of shipping everywhere

Synonyms of imperil

Verb

• endanger
• threaten

Examples of imperil in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The dropping water levels could imperil Lake Powell's ability to generate electricity, and federal officials have been pulling water out of smaller reservoirs upstream to help buy time. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

The Trust, supported by a 1 percent food-and-beverage restaurant tax, used it as a quarantine site for homeless elders imperiled by COVID. — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

The setback imperiled plans to seek regulatory approval for the drug, Duravyu, and caused its stock price to plummet. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026

But as oil is drained from these reserves, the integrity of the caverns may be imperiled. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for imperil

• carbaryl
• glyceryl
• beryl
• feral
• karel
• peril
• seral
• sterile
• sterol
• foraminiferal
• 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