jeopardize

verb

jeop·​ar·​dize ˈje-pər-ˌdīz How to pronounce jeopardize (audio)
jeopardized; jeopardizing

transitive verb

: to expose to danger or risk : imperil
a decision that could jeopardize her career
laws jeopardizing freedom of speech

Did you know?

Jeopardize Has a Controversial History

It may be hard to believe that jeopardize was once controversial, but in 1870 a grammarian called it "a foolish and intolerable word," a view shared by many 19th-century critics. The preferred word was jeopard, which first appeared in print in the 14th century. (The upstart jeopardize didn't arrive until the late 16th century.) In 1828, Noah Webster himself declared jeopardize to be "a modern word, used by respectable writers in America, but synonymous with jeopard, and therefore useless." Unfortunately for the champions of jeopard, jeopardize is now much more popular.

Examples of jeopardize in a Sentence

His health has been jeopardized by poor nutrition. don't do anything that will jeopardize your place on the advisory board
Recent Examples on the Web Gun rights organizations and law enforcement groups supporting Tiahrt, such as the Fraternal Order of Police and the Firearm Industry Trade Association, assert releasing such sensitive data would jeopardize criminal investigations and put firearm retailers at risk. Emma Tucker, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 This, in turn, jeopardizes the quality of care, especially for underserved communities. USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 Such funding could be jeopardized if Ting’s bill succeeds. Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 The Comets had fallen in the standings, jeopardizing their playoff hopes by winning just one of their previous 10 games. Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024 Right now, extreme weather events are jeopardizing global crops, resulting in crop shortages and price spikes. Magi Richani, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The outcome of the 2024 presidential election could jeopardize coverage for millions of people who sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024 Women lose educational, job and career opportunities to unplanned pregnancies, and may even jeopardize their health. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Feb. 2024 But the Modi government is jeopardizing a key source of Indian strength: its varied forms of pluralism. Ramachandra Guha, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

see jeopardy

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jeopardize was in 1582

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Dictionary Entries Near jeopardize

Cite this Entry

“Jeopardize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jeopardize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jeopardize

verb
jeop·​ar·​dize ˈjep-ər-ˌdīz How to pronounce jeopardize (audio)
jeopardized; jeopardizing
: to expose to danger

More from Merriam-Webster on jeopardize

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