imperiling 1 of 2

adjective

variants or imperilling
as in hazardous

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imperiling

2 of 2

verb

variants or imperilling
present participle of imperil
as in endangering
to place in danger a single mistake could imperil the lives of everyone involved in the military operation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of imperiling
Verb
Oil pollution in the Gulf could damage these facilities, imperiling water supply. — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 In response, some farmers trimmed their fertilizer use, potentially imperiling next year’s harvests. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Central Florida Congressman Cory Mills faces dwindling campaign funds and growing opposition from members of his own party, potentially imperiling his re-election bid with less than a week to go before the primary. — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026 Its screenshots have circulated with ferocity this past week as proof that Grande is in danger, and imperiling others with her. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2026 Between 2 and 5 inches of rain could fall in different sections of New England, potentially imperiling a handful of places already drenched by previous storms in recent days. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Trump officials went on to largely dismantle PEPFAR, imperiling many of the 20 million people the program has supplied with lifesaving therapies. — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 The company’s stock closed under $150 yesterday, its first day in the Nasdaq 100, for the first time since its June 12 IPO, possibly imperiling Elon Musk’s title as the world’s first trillionaire. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 July 2026 But the abilities bring out the darker sides of some, imperiling the world as the kids know it. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperiling
  1. hazardous
  2. endangering
  3. dangerous
  4. threatening
  5. damaging
  6. risking
  7. perilous
  8. detrimental
Adjective
  • And previously unseen chemicals hazardous to human health were detected in a quarter of the 49 inhalable products tested by The Times.
    — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Last year, after several delays, the ship was towed the 1,800 miles from Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama, where it was stripped of any hazardous materials that could harm the marine environment.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of hazardous
Verb
  • Any new map would likely break up the 1st Congressional District Republican stronghold on the Eastern Shore, endangering Maryland's lone Republican in Congress Andy Harris, who has been critical.
    — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Opponents argue the tax will chase billionaires out of the state, endangering the state’s economy and future tax collections.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of endangering
Adjective
  • Though Awawdeh was friendly, Jontay knew that he was connected to some dangerous associates, including the Gambino crime family in New York.
    — New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
  • But the proliferation of inexpensive first-person-view (FPV) aerial drones has made this incredibly dangerous.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Verb
  • Secretary-General António Guterres warned that AI could accelerate human development while threatening democratic institutions and social stability if left ungoverned.
    — Stephen Pitt-Walker, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • But in a real Earth-threatening scenario, even such a tiny shift could help divert an asteroid on a collision course — as long as scientists get enough advance warning of its approach.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of threatening
Adjective
  • As storms move east and merge into a line, damaging winds may become a greater concern.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Large hail, damaging winds, tornadoes possible Storms are already developing across central Oklahoma, and additional activity could extend south toward our northwestern counties.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of damaging
Verb
  • The pressure is forcing farmers to cut spending on seeds and fertilizer, risking future yields.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • But Newsom’s deal would have shifted more of the cost to property insurers, risking the prospect of rising insurance premiums.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of risking
Adjective
  • That has left much of the Black Sea very perilous for commercial vessels.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Sean McVay’s decision to keep two kickers on the roster is partially motivated by the Rams’ playoff chances being in perilous place.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of perilous
Adjective
  • Cannabis impairs cognitive functioning and can be particularly detrimental to young brains that are still developing.
    — Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026
  • So in this episode of the Outdoor Life Podcast, Sturgis will reference his decades of experience working on private land habitat as well as his time spent hunting on public ground to outline the most common and detrimental deer hunting mistakes.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of detrimental

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Cite this Entry

“Imperiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperiling. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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