perilous

adjective

per·​il·​ous ˈper-ə-ləs How to pronounce perilous (audio)
ˈpe-rə-
: full of or involving peril
a perilous journey
perilously adverb
perilousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for perilous

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury.

dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples of perilous in a Sentence

a perilous journey across the mountains a perilous journey through hostile territory
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.
The deepest fear: Just four years after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan ended America's longest war, the United States is now enmeshed in another war in a volatile region, with perilous and uncertain consequences. Susan Page, USA Today, 23 June 2025 The Darién Gap, long a perilous route for millions of migrants traveling north toward the United States, has also become a pathway for the northward spread of the New World screwworm—a parasitic fly now challenging decades of containment efforts. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2025 In the post-pandemic world, trading is popular and perilous. Daniel Schlaepfer, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for perilous

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perilous, perelous, borrowed from Anglo-French perilleus, perillous, going back to Latin perīculōsus, from perīculum "test, risk, peril entry 1" + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perilous was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perilous. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

perilous

adjective
per·​il·​ous ˈper-ə-ləs How to pronounce perilous (audio)
: full of or involving peril
perilously adverb
perilousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on perilous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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