jeopardize
verb
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
Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 21 Feb. 2026
In December, the Attorney General’s office redid her circuit’s contract, Worrell said, slashing funding in some areas and adding on unrealistic measures for success that are not likely to be achieved, which could jeopardize future funding.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
The company said the more detailed analysis sought by regulators could delay the process and jeopardize landing the incentives.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
As the article notes, 80,000 Marylanders will be subject to these new requirements, potentially jeopardizing their ability to receive food assistance each month — all while food prices continue to rise.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jeopardize
Cite this Entry
“Jeopardize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jeopardize. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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