PERILS Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

perils 1 of 2

noun

plural of peril

as in threats

something that may cause injury or harm life is full of unexpected perils

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perils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of peril

as in endangers

to place in danger a tribute to the men and women who, as firefighters, peril their lives daily

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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

Noun

The author behind the singular Elizabeth Zott returns with ‘Peck & Peck,’ a sharp, charming satire on the pretensions and perils of literary gatekeepers. — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 One of the best ways to stay private and protect yourself from the internet's many perils is a VPN. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026 Love Days gets inside the head of the disembodied, Medusa-like woman who uses her work to escape the perils of her own subjectivity. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 Many in the industry pointed to that hack as an example of the perils of the rapid pace of AI developments and capabilities. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 Their ensuing ascent is defined as much by the tensions between backgrounds, classes and competing ambitions as by the perils of the mountain itself. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026 Corus Entertainment Gossling knows the perils and profits of traditional pay TV and has positioned the Canadian broadcast giant to revamp its business model for the streaming age. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 OpenAI and Anthropic’s leaders write at length about how AI’s risks and perils must be carefully studied for the sake of humanity. — Matthew Sun, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 Whereas many tech leaders have, like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, touted the benefits of AI, many have also expressed concern about its perils. — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Aug. 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

In other words, the biggest threats on the horizon might not be the Vatican or their local dioceses as much as time and money.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The papers are said to have contained highly sensitive information, some likely supplied by Germany’s intelligence partners – so the affair could have serious international ramifications at a time when Europe is facing grave security threats.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of threats

Verb

This spews pollution into the air and endangers workers and surrounding neighborhoods.

— Micheline Maynard, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Our leaders should retire a relic that endangers people and animals alike, and retire, once and for all, the small and nasty politics used to defend it.

— Al Sharpton, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of endangers

Noun

According to the Cleveland Clinic, among the dangers of vaping are addiction to nicotine, asthma, cancer, lung scarring, coughing, shortness of breath and a dry/irritated mouth and throat.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026
Doing so is not only a matter of altruism; the United States itself will have to grapple with migrants fleeing failing states, pandemics, and the dangers of climate change.

— Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangers

Verb

Without one, the country risks stalling tools central to its competitiveness, or building them at the expense of the communities next door.

— Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
But that goal risks complicating the campaign for a 20% federal incentive for domestic production, which has broader industry support and which advocates hope will pass by the end of the year.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of risks

Verb

Under his successor, Rob Manfred, owners again have proposed a salary cap, and a likely management lockout threatens the 2027 season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
On Rogers' earnings call, an analyst asked whether Starlink Mobile threatens to alter the competitive landscape in Canada, but Staffieri noted that there’s limited radio spectrum available for SpaceX to acquire.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of threatens

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perilous

perils

perimeter

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Style

“Perils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perils. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of perils

noun

verb

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