as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
window washing can indeed be a parlous occupation on a skyscraper
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of parlous
Read More: Where Pope Leo Stands on Specific Issues
Pope Leo also faces challenges of a more practical nature, such as the Vatican’s parlous financial state and its diplomatic ties.
—
Aryn Baker, Time, 9 May 2025
Its economic position is parlous, its demographic situation is miserable and its military capacities have atrophied, and most of the chest-thumping about a revival of European power is empty talk and fantasy politics.
—Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Such parlous conditions have turned Syrian campuses into hotbeds of corruption and scientific fraud.
—Byrichard Stone, science.org, 23 Dec. 2024
The movie examines the experiences of four Mexican journalists to illustrate the parlous state of the press in Mexico, where at least 165 journalists have been killed or gone missing since 1992.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for parlous
Aryn Baker, Time, 9 May 2025
Its economic position is parlous, its demographic situation is miserable and its military capacities have atrophied, and most of the chest-thumping about a revival of European power is empty talk and fantasy politics.
—Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Such parlous conditions have turned Syrian campuses into hotbeds of corruption and scientific fraud.
—Byrichard Stone, science.org, 23 Dec. 2024
The movie examines the experiences of four Mexican journalists to illustrate the parlous state of the press in Mexico, where at least 165 journalists have been killed or gone missing since 1992.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for parlous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlous
Adjective
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That said, the Revolution had promising spells of attacking play and even looked the more dangerous side in the first half.—
Julian Cardillo,
Boston Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
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In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The collapse of the bridge also caused hazardous debris to enter the Colorado River waterway.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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The pace of the 2025 fires is reminiscent of the record-breaking 2023 wildfire season, which exposed millions of people in North America to hazardous smoke levels.—
Jun Wang,
Space.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Murphy only wants to escape and regain custody of his daughter, Penny, but becomes entangled in Clancy’s perilous gold smuggling scheme, facing threats from both the treacherous wilderness and potential betrayal within his own group.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
6 Aug. 2025
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The lack of comprehensive protections and support systems for athletes echoes the Wild West’s perilous landscape, where pioneers often had to fend for themselves amid uncertainty and danger.—
Jim Martin,
Denver Post,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Choose the concepts that challenge your thinking or open entirely new avenues — the ones that feel risky in an interesting way.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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But the crypto industry is made up largely of riskier products than stablecoins — and firms fear a future president could unravel much of what Trump has done to boost them.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Some serious symptoms of a West Nile virus infection include fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation or confusion.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
17 Aug. 2025
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Away from football, this has more serious ramifications.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Golden State Valkyries (15-15) find themselves in a precarious position, currently sitting in the No. 8 seed in the WNBA and in need of wins to strengthen their playoff chances.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
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Given this precarious financial position, Lamont had a clear alternative during negotiations with state unions.—
Frank Ricci,
Hartford Courant,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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