parlous

adjective

ˈpär-ləs How to pronounce parlous (audio)
Definition of parlousnext
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury window washing can indeed be a parlous occupation on a skyscraper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
  1. dangerous
  2. hazardous
  3. perilous
  4. risky
  5. serious
  6. precarious
Adjective
  • When atmospheric weather conditions in May drove dangerous pollution levels in Texas, environmental officials urged residents to limit driving and in particular to avoid drive-through lines.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
  • An unchecked ego further erodes psychological safety, as dismissing feedback signals that team contributions are unwelcome, creating dangerous blind spots.
    — Dr. Samantha Madhosingh, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • As silane and germane are hazardous gases, the researchers also built automated control systems that continuously monitor hundreds of operating conditions, helping maintain both safety and exceptionally high chemical purity throughout production.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026
  • Campers spent the day indoors to avoid hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 26 July 2026
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • The Odyssey, of course, chronicles Odysseus’ perilous, post-Trojan War journey home to Ithaca to reunite with his wife, Queen Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and their son, Prince Telemachus.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Those scary moments were repeated six minutes later, as the second hostage made the same short but perilous journey.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of perilous
Adjective
  • In the Himalayan region, fragile mountains, seismic activity and unpredictable underground conditions make tunnel projects especially risky.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
  • The new joint venture draws a line between Doronin’s two companies and moves the heavy, risky capital requirements of real estate development into a separate vehicle.
    — Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of risky
Adjective
  • The claim and counterclaim are among serious allegations – including of smear campaigns and embezzlement – aired in multiple court cases now swirling around the production of the Australian musical comedy.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • Deputies followed behind and reported no serious injuries related to the rolling sedan.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 22 July 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • And their semi-final victory over England was plucked from another incredibly precarious position.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Speaking for my parents, as immigrants in a country that has only gotten, to be honest, more hostile over their lifetime, everything’s always going to feel precarious.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of precarious

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 29 Jul. 2026.

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