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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 The Conservatives, anticipating a heavy defeat, announced sweeping tax cuts before the election, expecting that Labour would have to raise them once in office, given the parlous state of Britain’s public finances. — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for parlous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlous

Adjective

When threatening phone calls begin and a dangerous fugitive surfaces in town, Jenny grows suspicious of everyone around her as the danger begins closing in.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
One of the reasons being an actor is both dangerous and a privilege is that your job is to think about all the different roads your life could take, and all the people that live inside you, and all your potential.

— Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

The facility has sign for consumer advisory for undercooked food, and the potentially hazardous items are marked, but the sign is lacking asterisks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
The production was shut down in Livingston, Montana last Saturday when locals complained about the production’s impact on the Livingston food bank and improper warnings about hazardous stunts.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

Williams heads up the Rory Peck Trust, which provides funds and training to aid the security of freelance journalists who are reporting in perilous zones.

— David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
Alas, for an increasing share of the population, stretching to buy a home is a perilous financial move.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of perilous

Adjective

Willis at times has shown an aversion for check-downs and instead has attempted riskier or unwise throws, something that happened multiple times in Sunday’s 31-24 loss to Cincinnati.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Rescues this high are risky and expensive, and helicopters cannot safely fly at such altitudes.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of risky

Adjective

Related Stories Set in the Iranian village of Goorankesh, housed in an incredibly arid and seemingly inhospitable region, the film follows schoolteacher Davoud Soulan (Mohammad Rahimi), whose job lies on precarious foundations.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
After his passing, financial security has been precarious for the family.

— Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of precarious

Browse Nearby Words

parlors

parlous

parochial

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of parlous

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

abscond

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes