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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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 peril

Noun

And then Messi and his mates could smell the win, to avoid the peril of extra-time and penalties. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 Dan also told the outlet the two children in peril were Taylor’s kids. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 As our planet revels in the recent achievements of this spring’s Artemis 2 mission and its four astronaut crew members, a new four-part PBS documentary series takes a scrutinizing look at space exploration and its inherent perils and promises. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 July 2026 Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey follows the incredible journey of King Odysseus back to his kingdom of Ithaca, plagued by mythical perils along the way. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for peril

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peril

Noun

Being on the fringes of the MVP tier as an annual 100-point pace threat while being paid just $8 million for a long time will have that effect.

— Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 22 July 2026
But the threat alone has persuaded some ships to abandon their plans to exit the Red Sea heading south.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of threat

Noun

Despite the heightened risk, commercial traffic continues to transit steadily through the Red Sea and the Strait, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which provides maritime security warnings and incident updates.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Warned for decades Earthquake and engineering experts inside and outside of Venezuela had warned for decades about the country’s seismic risk and lobbied for earthquake-resistant construction practices.

— Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Definition of risk

Verb

Officials also expressed concern that any attack carried out during a crowded public event could endanger civilians, explaining why additional protective measures will be implemented at public meetings, press conferences and other appearances.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
The driver exited the freeway into Koreatown and continued speeding through surface streets, at times crossing into opposing lanes and endangering morning commuters.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of endanger

Noun

But the remote Indigenous community says that on that Monday, July 13, they were told by the Ministry of Natural Resources there was no immediate danger.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Proponents say open-source practices promote innovation, while critics warn that making powerful AI models publicly accessible poses safety and security dangers.

— Matt O'Brien, Fortune, 18 July 2026

Definition of danger

Noun

Revealing basic information such as where, when and under what general circumstances a fatality occurred is not the kind of information that places a utility in legal jeopardy.

— Eric Adler July 18, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
The determinations are critical, considering billions of dollars in the form of a rocket launch to Jupiter is now facing serious jeopardy.

— David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Definition of jeopardy

Verb

Ironically, as the office-to-residential boom has consumed millions of square feet of space, the office vacancy rate has declined and leasing has picked up, threatening converters’ ability to acquire properties at rock-bottom prices.

— Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has previously threatened to build his own nuclear weapons should Iran acquire the bomb.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of threaten

Noun

But what’s missing from his performance (perhaps beginning with the writing) is the palpable life experience that lends him an advantage when his young friends run into trouble.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 24 July 2026
In footage shared Tuesday by the local Jonesboro Police Department (below), a person in a wheelchair can be seen having trouble while crossing at a busy intersection.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Definition of trouble

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periapts

peril

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Style

“Peril.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peril. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of peril

noun

verb

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