parlous

adjective

ˈpär-ləs How to pronounce parlous (audio)
Definition of parlousnext
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury window washing can indeed be a parlous occupation on a skyscraper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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 Declining revenues combined with soaring wage costs shifted the club’s finances into a parlous state. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 The increasingly parlous state of Francophone West Africa’s second-largest economy led to a credit downgrade by S&P in July which has pushed up borrowing costs. — semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parlous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlous
  1. dangerous
  2. hazardous
  3. perilous
  4. risky
  5. serious
  6. precarious
Adjective
  • Despite Penta's aggressive offense and dangerous maneuvers, Gable persevered, ultimately making Penta submit with a decisive ankle lock, securing a triumphant and emotional victory.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Three wildfires are burning in Spokane County, Washington, and thousands of families have been ordered to flee their homes overnight, as state officials warn of an incredibly dangerous situation and brace for what daylight may reveal.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • The system also avoided hazardous conditions while controlling the spacecraft’s orientation, showing how autonomous software could reduce dependence on ground commands during military and scientific missions.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities continue to warn the public about the dangers of the Kern River, describing it as extremely hazardous even for experienced swimmers.
    — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • In this context, replicating reputation management by political methods could prove perilous.
    — Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The acclaimed filmmaker's adaptation stars Matt Damon as the intrepid Greek king Odysseus, who embarks on a perilous voyage home following the Trojan War.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 28 July 2026
Definition of perilous
Adjective
  • That's why growth can be just as risky as decline, sometimes more so.
    — Richard Neal, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Aside from its costly – and risky — production and distribution business, Belmer has increasingly looked to reposition TF1 around streaming and aggregation.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of risky
Adjective
  • Senior local official Dagnachew Azbite told the BBC that seven people had been found injured, with five of the victims sustaining serious injuries.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond the figures, a scroll of social media or a quick scan of the girlies at airports and Pilates reformer studios in major cities will tell you that Alo continues to capture serious athleisure market share.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • There are a lot of balls up in the air, with almost every character dealing with a precarious and delicate situation that could result in disaster.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Middle Eastern sovereign funds contributing more than half the deal’s equity sit in more precarious positions still, with war on their doorstep.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of precarious

Browse Nearby Words

parlors
parlous
parochial
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“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of parlous for Spanish Speakers

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