as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
window washing can indeed be a parlous occupation on a skyscraper
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Recent Examples of parlous
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
Reflecting wider financial market nerves around the parlous state of French politics, the yield on France’s 30-year bond yield rose above 4.5% on Tuesday — hitting a level last seen in 2008 — before lightly easing to to 4.48% on Wednesday.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Put more directly, the idea of taking a nap in the Royal Box within arm’s length of the Queen during a Wimbledon match seems a parlous choice of lollygagging terrain.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Filling the stage with androgynous women dressed in black and making sometimes terrifying use of pure white light and heavy industrial techno, the latest interpretative dance extravaganza appeared to be a Lynchian comment on the parlous state of today’s world.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parlous
semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Reflecting wider financial market nerves around the parlous state of French politics, the yield on France’s 30-year bond yield rose above 4.5% on Tuesday — hitting a level last seen in 2008 — before lightly easing to to 4.48% on Wednesday.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
Put more directly, the idea of taking a nap in the Royal Box within arm’s length of the Queen during a Wimbledon match seems a parlous choice of lollygagging terrain.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Filling the stage with androgynous women dressed in black and making sometimes terrifying use of pure white light and heavy industrial techno, the latest interpretative dance extravaganza appeared to be a Lynchian comment on the parlous state of today’s world.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parlous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlous
Adjective
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The sheriff's office extended condolences to the child's family and loved ones, calling the incident a tragic reminder of how quickly conditions on the water can turn dangerous.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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As multiple cities around Jackson County move to ban types of unregulated and potentially dangerous ‘gas station drugs’ — specifically more potent variations of kratom — Lee’s Summit has not only joined the charge but has taken restrictions even further.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The advisory warns of snow, sleet, and heavy rain, with conditions likely to make roads slippery and hazardous.—
Eric Henderson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Which is also super hazardous for someone in a massive suit running around [laughs].—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Secret churches, perilous conversions During the Palm Sunday service, the in-person audience at the nondenominational church was much smaller than on a typical Sunday, with only about a half-dozen members dotting the rows of blue chairs in front of the stage.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Zendaya joins the all-star cast as Greek goddess Athena, who protects Matt Damon’s Odysseus on his perilous journey back home to his family in Ithaca.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even if the Bengals prefer to rely on Carter and Knight’s development, risky but not crazy, the lack of pedigree surrounding them is startling.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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The researchers also cautioned that all-night broadband noise may be especially risky for children, who spend significantly more time in REM sleep.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The victim suffered serious injuries to her right ear, right cheek and face, including a laceration that was about 6 inches long, officials said.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The broad ban on advertising also raises serious constitutional concerns.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Leaving the Strait of Hormuz in a precarious state risks ignoring that painful lesson.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
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Dylan’s become a Flying Wallenda, pulling arrangements out of shape, not looking down to see just how precarious all of this sounds, as his excellent four-piece band turns towards him, carefully watching his footing.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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