as in threats
something that may cause injury or harm
life is full of unexpected perils
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in endangers
to place in danger
a tribute to the men and women who, as firefighters, peril their lives daily
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 perils
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 28 May 2026
Those perils mean the breakneck rescue is being conducted at a snail's pace, all while the miner's face dangers including hypothermia, carbon dioxide poisoning and shortages of food and water.
—Matt Gutman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
On the topic of AI, such balance helps ensure leaders see both the perils and the potential.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
In a May 8 speech, Atkins said that the failure of FTX Group in 2022 demonstrated the perils of hosting digital asset trading venues offshore.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
Another issue involves the fictional movie being shot, which is called Desert and seems to be about the perils of Spanish colonialism, yet remains disconnected to all the shenanigans going on behind the scenes.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Others, however, see a more positive road ahead for the rapid deployment of renewables not only in Cuba, but also elsewhere, as the costs of clean tech continue to fall and geopolitical turbulence lays bare the perils of relying on fossil fuel imports.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Another viral pro-Pratt ad, not produced by Pratt’s own campaign, best illustrates the perils of populist-right energy.
—Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Watch the cautionary tale about the perils of the transfer portal turn into a fairy-tale comeback.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Cleve R. Wootson Jr, Washington Post, 22 May 2026
Noun
In Season 3, such perils are compounded by the economic malaise affecting Gen Z-ers in their twenties.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 28 May 2026
Those perils mean the breakneck rescue is being conducted at a snail's pace, all while the miner's face dangers including hypothermia, carbon dioxide poisoning and shortages of food and water.
—Matt Gutman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
On the topic of AI, such balance helps ensure leaders see both the perils and the potential.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
In a May 8 speech, Atkins said that the failure of FTX Group in 2022 demonstrated the perils of hosting digital asset trading venues offshore.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
Another issue involves the fictional movie being shot, which is called Desert and seems to be about the perils of Spanish colonialism, yet remains disconnected to all the shenanigans going on behind the scenes.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Others, however, see a more positive road ahead for the rapid deployment of renewables not only in Cuba, but also elsewhere, as the costs of clean tech continue to fall and geopolitical turbulence lays bare the perils of relying on fossil fuel imports.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Another viral pro-Pratt ad, not produced by Pratt’s own campaign, best illustrates the perils of populist-right energy.
—Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
Watch the cautionary tale about the perils of the transfer portal turn into a fairy-tale comeback.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Verb
The rally in a swing district illustrates the benefits and perils Trump brings to his party’s candidates.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr, Washington Post, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perils
Noun
-
Autonomous task forces of drones could be assigned to defend against specific threats — Russian subs sneaking into the Atlantic Ocean, say, or a possible amphibious landing on Taiwan.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
What’s more, Rick can’t get through to Danny, because the pop star’s brash and aggressive manager (Jack Reynor) refuses to put Rick through, and responds to his claims with threats.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
There’s lots of humiliation and frustration involved, as well as an incident that endangers his family.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
Crandall said the suppression only policy endangers the few firefighters left at the agency.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The animal pads beside her, companion and protector, its golden eyes scanning the landscape around them for predators or potential dangers, as it has been trained to do.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
The book circles political concerns that remain relevant today, including empire, caste prejudice, and the dangers of despotism and corruption.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The dose also matters, meaning someone with alpha-gal risks a bigger reaction by eating a large amount of red meat.—
Eva Flowe
May 29,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Or Gonzalez fully holds out and risks fines.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Forecasters say confidence is lower in the exact timing, where storms will be strongest, and which hazards will be most likely.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Clothes Iron and Steamer Many cruise lines have policies forbidding the use of clothes irons and steamers and won’t allow these fire hazards onboard.—
Jill Schildhouse,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Season 3 finds Andrew Cooper (Hamm) doubling down on his life as an unlikely suburban thief, until the arrival of a new neighbor threatens to expose his secrets and place his family at risk.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
The fighting in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have seized large swaths of the south, threatens efforts to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for oil and gas.—
Bassem Mroue,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perils. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
