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

The pleasure and peril of games of chance lie in never really knowing what comes next. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 Teenage e-bikers on an Oakland County airport runway last week forced a pilot to abort his landing, taking the potential perils of e-bike misuse to a whole new level. — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026 There is a palpable energy that moves through her prose, a power current of peril and danger not only in the story itself but in the use of language. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 Italy’s Po River and the Rhine in Switzerland are also in peril. — Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peril

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peril

Noun

This isn’t really about an existential threat coming for the status quo of professional golf anymore.

— Brody Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Still, the threats have increased for the islands of Niihau and Kauai because the storm's forecast track has shifted steadily eastward, the National Hurricane Center said.

— Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of threat

Noun

For their part, Chinese leaders have also sounded the alarm about AI, warning of the risks posed by foreign entities with advanced capabilities.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Today, the most-valuable conversations are about what the information means, what risk is emerging and what action should be taken next.

— Suresh Rajapakse, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of risk

Verb

Similarly, a citizen who violates technology export or import regulations could be banned from leaving if the action endangers industrial or technological security, the regulation says.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Authorities could prevent Chinese citizens from leaving if their departure violates export control rules in a way that could endanger national industrial or technological security.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of endanger

Noun

The mudslide hit part of a village in Suichuan County in Jiangxi province in the early hours, prompting rescuers to rush to the scene and relocate residents to safer ground to prevent further danger, authorities said in a statement.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Anderson portrays a young woman caught between danger and redemption under Joe’s guidance.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of danger

Noun

Furthermore, if a movie (any movie) isn’t doing $3,000-$4,000 a screen in a weekend, that screen is in serious jeopardy.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
And when scores of families fall off SNAP, universal free meal programs at tens of thousands of schools fall into jeopardy.

— Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of jeopardy

Verb

Insurance remains an essential tool for protecting against losses that could threaten liquidity, earnings or operations.

— Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The fighting threatens to reignite a war that for more than a decade brought disaster to Yemen, killing more than 150,000 people and driving the country to the brink of famine.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of threaten

Noun

Smith-Shawver cruised through his first two innings Monday before running into trouble in the sixth, giving up a two-run home run to Pete Crow-Armstrong, an NL MVP candidate.

— Jesús Cano, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
This year, his boss waged a military war with Iran that continues to exacerbate America’s cost-of-living troubles and rattle the bond market.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of trouble

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periapts

peril

periled

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Style

“Peril.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peril. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of peril

noun

verb

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