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

Imagine you’re a contestant on a game show, and your task is to provide a question as a response to this statement from the host: “This word was once controversial, and in 1870 a grammarian called it ‘a foolish and intolerable word,’ a view shared by many 19th-century critics.” If you answered, “What is jeopardize?,” you might be going home with some money! The preferred word back then was jeopard, which first appeared in print in the 14th century. The upstart jeopardize didn’t arrive until the late 16th century, and took a while to catch on. 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, increased usage of jeopardize ultimately put the former word in jeopardy. Jeopard is now only rarely heard.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To win, the Patriots would have to unite the colonies, declare American independence, promise more political participation to grow their coalition, secure French support, and ultimately create a government strong enough to function without jeopardizing individual rights and liberties. Sarah Botstein, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025 In a letter, Ben’Ary warned that such politicization jeopardizes national security and undermines public trust in law enforcement. Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025 At many of these hospitals, flooding from heavy storms has the potential to jeopardize patient care, block access to emergency rooms, and force evacuations. CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 Affordable Care Act tax credits are set to expire in December, potentially jeopardizing coverage for up to 245,000 Tennesseans. Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jeopardize

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

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Jeopardize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jeopardize. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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