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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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

As far as kid peril goes, this one doesn’t go all the way to the limit, Terrifier style. — Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026 Their ensuing ascent is defined as much by the tensions between backgrounds, classes and competing ambitions as by the perils of the mountain itself. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026 It's also tested to MIL-STD 810H, which means it can be put through environmental peril that the Series 12 might not survive. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 But the young core that helped Detroit reach this point is undeniably in peril. — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peril

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peril

Noun

Days later, facing the credible threat of losing a third consecutive star on the eve of ticket sales opening, Boston moved, agreeing to a record $331 million deal.

— Chris Koras, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026
This perception of threat, intertwined with a harsh interpretation of religious morality, dominated 17th-century life, with the optimistic, protective and compassionate aspects of Christianity often overpowered by fear and a desire to judge.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of threat

Noun

In July, the Drug Enforcement Agency proposed temporarily designating 7-OH above a certain threshold of potency as Schedule I, the category for drugs that carry the most risk without any medical benefit.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
Flood maps, which are commonly out of date, don't consider some types of flood risk, such as flooding from inland heavy rains.

— MICHAEL PHILLIS, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of risk

Verb

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has stood by its claim that ICE tracking apps endanger agents.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
However, the work, done with Tanzanian government partners, helps track threatened species and monitor human activity that endangers the region’s wildlife, making the few cameras lost in the process all the more worth it.

— Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of endanger

Noun

The concern has reached Capitol Hill, where lawmakers held a briefing behind closed doors earlier this month about AI’s dangers.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
The broader concept envisions robots entering dangerous areas after sensors identify a threat, reducing the need to expose soldiers to direct danger.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of danger

Noun

For Tampa, what was even more dispiriting than falling to 0-3 was that quarterback Baker Mayfield left with a dislocated thumb that puts his active league-high streak of 54 consecutive starts in jeopardy.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Football is putting itself in a bit of jeopardy, allowing people to experience it without caring, entertaining the fantasy and gambling and the social aspect.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of jeopardy

Verb

And yet, at the time, we were threatened with annihilation by three Arab armies that were about to invade us.

— Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
The council said that the other companies agreed to testify after being threatened with a subpoena.

— Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of threaten

Noun

In recent months, LeBeouf, 40, has faced some legal troubles of his own after getting arrested in February for an altercation outside of a bar in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

— Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026
Pacemakers and some other implants can already sense trouble and respond on the spot.

— Peter Hall, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of trouble

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peril

periled

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Style

“Peril.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peril. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of peril

noun

verb

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