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 Declining revenues combined with soaring wage costs shifted the club’s finances into a parlous state. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Despite the Soviet state’s parlous position, he was suffused with hope. — Literary Hub, 25 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 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 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
  • Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of dangerous
Adjective
  • Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • Response efforts were slowed as debris blocked roads and live wires created hazardous conditions.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of hazardous
Adjective
  • Thrown into the perilous odyssey of the quest for Europe, Gift recounts the memories that led to her departure.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of perilous
Adjective
  • Achraf Hakimi looked to have another opportunity to take an open shot on goal in the 54th minute, until Dutch defender Micky van de Ven chased him down and made a risky tackle in the goal box.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • The groups that brought the lawsuit said the rule would require students to forgo their studies or take out riskier private loans.
    — Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Definition of risky
Adjective
  • Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • Prosecutors said Anthony Edmond and Rafael Enriquez face the most serious charges, including conspiracy involving firearms trafficking, machineguns and drug trafficking.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • The rock bridge is an especially precarious structure that’s located on an unofficial section of the trail, the Star-Advertiser reported.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • This comes at a particularly precarious time for airports, as one of the biggest sporting events in the world is taking place in MIA’s backyard.
    — Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Definition of precarious

Browse Nearby Words

parlors
parlous
parochial
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of parlous for Spanish Speakers

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