PERILOUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

perilous

adjective

ˈper-ə-ləs

Definition of perilous next

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury a perilous journey through hostile territory

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 Far from benign, some experts say the videos can skew how people view and even interact with wildlife — potentially leading to perilous encounters. —

Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026 It's become a more perilous occupation to be President of the United States, or a congressional leader, or to be a state legislator in Minnesota, or to be the spouse of a former House speaker. —

Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 This can be dangerous, and packing this small nightlight can help to make navigating around the middle of the night feel a lot less perilous. —

Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026 While some experts believe that Covid has developed into more of a nuisance illness than a perilous threat, not everyone agrees. —

Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perilous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perilous

Adjective

Battista and Tucker are two of the most dangerous hitters in the state.

— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026
If Iran gets away with charging any kind of toll or fee for passing through it, that principle is shot, and that is a dangerous thing.

— Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026