PARLOUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

parlous

adjective

ˈpär-ləs

Definition of parlous

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury window washing can indeed be a parlous occupation on a skyscraper

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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 parlous This isn’t the first time that someone has tried to use AI as a shortcut, with parlous consequences. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026 Despite the Soviet state’s parlous position, he was suffused with hope. — Literary Hub, 25 Feb. 2026 Declining revenues combined with soaring wage costs shifted the club’s finances into a parlous state. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 The increasingly parlous state of Francophone West Africa’s second-largest economy led to a credit downgrade by S&P in July which has pushed up borrowing costs. — semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parlous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlous

Adjective

The desert’s location on the southern border has led to many migrants attempting to cross it by using dangerous backcountry routes, the experts said.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Rather, this is a dangerous, shape-shifting synthetic entity that ravaged their entire planet.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Materials engineered to respond predictably to light could potentially form part of highly sensitive sensing technologies designed to provide earlier warning of hazardous substances.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
So the important question is what does your policy consider hazardous and what conditions apply to that exclusion.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

State and local leaders can step up by highlighting more innovation than ever in this perilous time to support California’s vital role in global food production.

— Jonathan Destler, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
And as evidenced by Spade and the D’Allara family's reunion, the emotional connections fostered on that perilous day have persisted through two decades.

— Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of perilous

Adjective

Dillman and his coconspirator used the funds to pay themselves and to make risky and speculative investments in other cryptocurrency ventures, authorities said, citing other evidence presented at the trial.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
In turn, Axira proposes a risky deal — steal something from the Tournament of Hearts, a dating competition where highborn citizenship is on the line.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of risky

Browse Nearby Words

parlors

parlous

parochial

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“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of parlous

adjective

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