PERIL Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

peril 1 of 2

noun

ˈper-əl

Definition of peril

as in threat

something that may cause injury or harm life is full of unexpected perils

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in risk

the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil they were unhappy about sending their son into peril overseas

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

peril

2 of 2

verb

ˈper-əl

as in to endanger

to place in danger a tribute to the men and women who, as firefighters, peril their lives daily

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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 peril

Noun

The trajectory of the California poll offers a cautionary tale about the perils of trusting unvetted polling. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 But Oak Street doesn't just spotlight the perils of man-eating dinosaurs. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 14 Aug. 2026 For Newsom, the state’s early vote offers possibility and peril. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Tan stepped away from the VC world to become CEO of Intel in March 2025, taking over at a time of great peril for the company. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peril

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peril

Noun

However, the threat of taking California to the Supreme Court may be enough to bring the state’s AG Rob Bonta back to the bargaining table.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
For those who pursued advanced degrees in education, the threat of student loans was also a burden.

— Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of threat

Noun

Analysts warn that beyond crowded positioning and technical pullbacks, fundamental risks within the AI supply chain may also be emerging.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
States alleged that Meta’s internal research documented links between Instagram use and harms including depression, anxiety and body-image concerns among young people, while the company publicly minimized or concealed those risks.

— Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of risk

Verb

Johnson said moving some of those funds would not endanger any ongoing projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Still, the trade war has compounded GOP concerns that the party is barreling toward November with a political weight on its back that could endanger Republicans’ prospects of holding on to their narrow majorities in the House and Senate.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of endanger

Noun

Greek health campaigners have welcomed a growing awareness of the dangers of ultraviolet exposure and risk of heat stroke.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
That has taken the costly burden of insurance risk and physical danger of Iranian attacks away from commercial shippers and placed it on the US government and the oil producers themselves.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of danger

Noun

Despite the end of impeachment proceedings, Espinosa faces additional legal jeopardy.

— Sara-James Ranta, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026
The man in the video who falsely identified himself as William Pomeranz, whose real name is James O'Keefe, may have put himself in legal jeopardy.

— Esme Murphy, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of jeopardy

Verb

An 18-year-old North Carolina woman threatened to fabricate child molestation accusations if a man didn’t give her cash, according to police in Huntersville.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Trump has threatened to also double tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from Canada from 25% to 50%.

— Joey Garrison, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of threaten

Noun

The shadow default rate measures the percentage of cases where the terms of their loans are changed after the money has been borrowed, usually because the borrowing company has run into trouble.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Point Bennett hosts massive seal and sea lion colonies that can number well into the tens of thousands—well worth the trouble.

— Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of trouble

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peril

periled

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“Peril.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peril. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of peril

noun

verb

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