Synonym Chooser

How is the word perilous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of perilous are dangerous, hazardous, precarious, and risky. While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

When might dangerous be a better fit than perilous?

The words dangerous and perilous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

When is it sensible to use hazardous instead of perilous?

The synonyms hazardous and perilous are sometimes interchangeable, but hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When can precarious be used instead of perilous?

While in some cases nearly identical to perilous, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

When would risky be a good substitute for perilous?

In some situations, the words risky and perilous are roughly equivalent. However, risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

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 perilous But more perilous is his loss of faith in his fellow man. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 June 2025 The journey is a perilous and illuminating one, as Jamie and Isla encounter hordes of infected, as well as an alpha, a hulking and seemingly intelligent evolution of the infected. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 23 June 2025 Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is paramount in averting wildfires during these perilous conditions. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025 The rap scene, then steeped in gangster culture, was perilous. Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for perilous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perilous
Adjective
  • While air temperatures on Friday were forecasted in the 70s, water temperatures in the region remained in the dangerous mid-50s range.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • Other symptoms can include itching, swelling, and a throbbing pain that radiates up the affected limb, according to Cleveland Clinic. Types Of Jellyfish To Look Out For According to Coffey, the U.S. is home to more than 9,000 species of jellyfish, and only about 100 are considered dangerous.
    Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Fire crews sometimes allow lightning-strike fires to burn, and made the decision to do that on the Dragon Bravo Fire, intended to reduce hazardous fuels and vegetation along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 15 July 2025
  • Map of damage: See how the Texas floods unfolded and why Camp Mystic was in a hazardous location The death toll has risen to 129 on Saturday, including more than three dozen children.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Voyager is a risky but fruitful investment into a huge growth market, according to many analysts, who are counting on the company’s Starlab commercial space station as the ultimate upside opportunity for the firm.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 7 July 2025
  • This represents a highly unorthodox and potentially risky approach to trade.
    Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Over time, those sketches became more serious, taking the form of tattoo designs.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • The restaurant was temporarily closed by the city for multiple serious health violations, including a malfunctioning refrigerator and freezer, mold growth and food buildup on kitchen equipment.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perilous. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on perilous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!