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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for parlous
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
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
See All Example Sentences for parlous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlous
Adjective
-
More than a billion phones are now ineligible for security updates at a time when the threat landscape has never been more dangerous.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The church opened its warming center over the weekend, anticipating the arrival of the winter storm and the dangerous drop in temperatures.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This situation poses substantial danger by impeding emergency response efforts, as hazardous road conditions may prevent timely assistance.—
Matt Randolph,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The National Weather Service said that hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning commute.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Moreover, investing in a single stock without thorough analysis can be perilous.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Both North Texas and neighboring Oklahoma are expected to be hit hard by the winter storm, with both anticipating perilous roadway conditions and power outages from a combination of freezing rain, ice, sleet, snow and strong wind gusts.—
Lauren Caruba,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Dell is finally good at something—but as her behavior becomes riskier and a shadowy troll threatens to expose her dark past, Dell must reckon with what her digital life ignores, and what real redemption means.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The statistic is built on what specific living individuals are willing to pay for small risk reductions in their own lives (often estimated via surveys or observing wage premiums for risky jobs).—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, the Broncos’ O-line had better be prepared for a New England defense on a serious heater.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Any serious strategy to secure the Arctic, deter adversaries and protect North America runs directly through Greenland.—
Paul McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This leads to a de facto seizure without outright invasion, placing Denmark in a precarious position and jeopardizing the NATO alliance.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
The fact that there is no longer a single budget bill, and that money is appropriated 365 days a year, has removed all seriousness in dealing with California’s precarious financial position.—
Jon Coupal,
Oc Register,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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