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 perils of caring for an aging parent Adult children can be thrust into caring for an aging parent, Medora Lee reports, and that can be a stressful situation. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The Baker family, who previously lost their patriarch (Taye Diggs) in season 5, faces peril once again when Olivia (a returning Samantha Logan) seems to have complications with her pregnancy. — Kat Pettibone, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026 Writers who tell tales without accounting for the omnipresence of digital eyes and data trails do so at their peril. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 But even Kennedy has recently shifted from publicly discussing vaccines, given the political peril. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peril

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peril

Noun

The goal is also to keep the aircraft adaptable as threats and military requirements change.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
Firms in the Program may receive threat information from other private entities and from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, and may propose operations to the NCC.

— Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of threat

Noun

Nonetheless, the costs of intercepting incoming munitions could prove particularly high if targets are engaged over populated areas, with drones, defensive munitions and falling debris all posing risks to people and property on the ground.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
When used alone after surgery to reduce the risk that melanoma returns, Keytruda is given every three to six weeks for up to a year.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of risk

Verb

What workloads, if compromised, would actually stop the business or endanger people.

— Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Demining groups say that without international support, Southeast Asia’s unfinished work clearing land mines and unexploded bombs will continue to endanger communities, maiming and killing people and slowing development for years to come.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of endanger

Noun

What the Mets learned at those positions in 2026 is the danger of counting on one player — aside from All-Star-level contributors — when faced with underperformance or injury.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
The government had shown no information that the immigrant was a danger or flight risk, Winmill said.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of danger

Noun

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
But given how poorly that series capper went over, her chances of winning a third Emmy are in some jeopardy.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of jeopardy

Verb

Batteries can store electricity, but extreme cold can threaten sensitive electronics and other critical hardware.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Its crisis – along with those of other property giants – has been at the heart of a wider Chinese real-estate shock that has tested the world’s second-largest economy and threatened to spark a global contagion effect.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of threaten

Noun

Another question that has arisen as Walter’s financial troubles have garnered headlines is whether MLB would conduct its own investigation into Dodgers ownership or pressure the billionaire and his partners to sell the team.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Of course, confessing to any involvement in Haleigh’s disappearance could also land Trinity in a lot more trouble.

— Dateline NBC, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of trouble

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periapts

peril

periled

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“Peril.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peril. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of peril

noun

verb

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