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
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This neurological response evolved to keep our ancestors alive in genuinely dangerous situations.—
Anne-Laure Le Cunff,
Big Think,
29 Sep. 2025
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In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Soon enough, the hazardous conditions overwhelm the area and Kevin has to get creative with maps and his driving skills, plus embrace a daredevil spirit, for even a chance of making it out alive with his young charges.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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The computer scientists used an AI program to generate DNA codes for more than 75,000 variants of hazardous proteins – and the firewalls used by DNA manufacturers weren't consistently able to catch them.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This context and backdrop adorns the film with considerable energy, various colorful personalities and smartly edited archival news footage that deepens our understanding of the perilous stakes.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
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My hope was that exploring the past in a nuanced way might offer insight into our surprising and perilous present.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That said, homepage refreshes are always risky, with user engagement always top of mind.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
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Its increase—up more than 45% over the past year—has outperformed the S&P 500, perhaps suggesting investors are valuing the security of gold more than the riskier equity markets.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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From a potentially serious injury sustained by linebacker Dwight Nunoo to a multitude of mistakes, Saturday’s 51-10 loss to the host Connecticut Huskies (4-2) was devastating to FIU (2-3).—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
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This was a period of serious violence in Argentina, with the most notable death in footballing terms being the assassination of General Omar Actis, the head of the World Cup organising committee.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s because the economy is already in a precarious state, with the labor market struggling, consumers losing confidence and uncertainty mounting.—
John W. Diamond,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
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Yet, the announcement couldn't have come at a more precarious time.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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