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 Then there’s the parlous state of VW Group itself. — ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026 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 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

Never mix vinegar with bleach, as the combination can create dangerous chlorine gas.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Sep. 2026
As the news of the helicopter crash spread, media crews from the bus accident scene began rushing to the helicopter site and were told by law enforcement to evacuate because the situation was too dangerous, NBC4 footage showed.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

These include dynamic proton radiography, materials science, neutron scattering, and nuclear physics, all operating at a facility authorized to use hazardous materials and handle classified data.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
In regards to what is happening on the streets of NYC — Kaporos — thousands of young Cornish chickens are kept in the streets in crates, in hazardous and dangerous conditions.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

Nesting is always perilous, but the moment when the male and female trade places is especially so, as the incubating bird’s movement may catch the attention of a predator.

— Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
Michael Steele/Getty Images That window was dominated by Newcastle’s perilous PSR (the Premier League’s former profitability and sustainability rules) situation and the upheaval caused by Paul Mitchell’s appointment as sporting director.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of perilous

Adjective

Within a year of creating the plan, lawmakers were confronted by allegations the insurance industry was using it as a dumping ground for its risky policies to maximize profit.

— Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Banks or trade partners may view a transaction as simply too risky.

— Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of risky

Adjective

The man was in serious but stable condition at a hospital after being shot once in the torso on the capital city's north side, Austin officials said at a news conference.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
If the issues being talked about weren’t so serious, declaring that machines are now smarter than humans, given this glaring gap between AI agents and their principals, would be a fun keynote for the next AI summit.

— Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of serious

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parlors

parlous

parochial

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“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of parlous

adjective

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