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
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
Trump and his advisers seem to believe that, despite the country’s allegedly parlous condition, unilateral action on Washington’s part can still force others to capitulate and submit to American terms.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for parlous
Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 July 2025
Trump and his advisers seem to believe that, despite the country’s allegedly parlous condition, unilateral action on Washington’s part can still force others to capitulate and submit to American terms.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for parlous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlous
Adjective
-
Hat tips go to left tackle Jaylon Moore — who stepped in for Josh Simmons at the last minute, against one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the league — and, of course, Kelce.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Strong longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties and other hazardous areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The area remains one of the most geologically dynamic and hazardous zones on Earth.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tom Werner | Getty Investors shifted their 401(k) plan allocations away from stocks to bonds and cash in September, according to an analysis by Alight, a retirement plan administrator — a behavior that could be financially perilous, depending on their rationale.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
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These currents vary in speed and can swiftly become perilous for anyone venturing into the surf.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some people view asking for more compensation as less risky than switching to a new job.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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With thousands of such satellites up there, even engaging in amateur astronomy as a hobby — looking at the night sky through a telescope or binoculars — would suddenly become an extremely risky activity.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Some 80% of older adult households, about 34 million, don't have the financial resources to weather a shock such as sudden widowhood, serious illness or need for long-term care.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
However, Zandi still sees a precarious situation with many risks lurking that could flip the economy.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Byrne plays a mother whose precarious housing situation and family health crisis push her to the edge; Slater is her husband, away on business and — upon his return — stunned to realize just how bad things have gotten.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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