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

Sexting in Suburbia is a dramatic look at the perils of sending compromising photos as a teenager, exploring the fallout of high school student Dina Van Cleve (Jenn Proske) dying by suicide and leaving her mom looking for answers. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 Hollywood guilds are currently wrangling with the perils and possibilities of AI. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026 Such are the perils of popularity, all the more ironic because Oliver never intended to be a populist. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 July 2026 Companies continued to experience new perils as AI advanced and insurers continued to adapt. — John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 The potential perils of this were apparent in Delaware, where a Caesar Rodney impersonator was manning the booth (the Caesar Rodney Institute was the sponsor). — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 The potential and perils of AI teaching assistants and generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT have swiftly emerged as leading topics of debate in education. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026 Some 30 agencies ranging from the Small Business Administration to the Agriculture Department are supposed to help coordinate aid after tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and other perils. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 Anyone who’s ever ordered a substantial piece of furniture, only to have mismeasured the doorframe, knows the perils of online shopping. — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 17 June 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 March, Ben Saul, UN special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, condemned both US and Iranian threats to target civilian energy infrastructure.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Authorities said the inmate had been in custody since April 10, 2024, while awaiting trial on charges of robbery, criminal threats, brandishing a weapon and petty theft.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of threats

Verb

Other critics of the tax are highlighting statements from Newsom that the tax endangers state revenues, seemingly targeting left-leaning voters who may have reservations about the proposal.

— Ben Paviour July 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Environmentalists say that plume endangers sea life.

— Harry Stevens, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Definition of endangers

Noun

Growing awareness of the dangers social media poses for young, developing brains has shown up in a wave of new restrictions globally.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
The dangers of turning insecurity into daily ritual For 20-year-old Kat, from New York, attempting to manifest appearance changes only worsened her self-loathing.

— Daisy Schofield, Allure, 13 July 2026

Definition of dangers

Verb

The answer here is probably not direct payment, which risks reducing a genuinely complex ethical relationship to a transaction and may actually deter some physicians who respond, precisely because the act feels outside the market.

— Sriman Swarup, STAT, 13 July 2026
While Arnold remains unsigned, any team that signs him risks the NFL placing him on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

Definition of risks

Verb

Meanwhile, Hollywood unions have also expressed reservations, or outright opposition, to the deal, warning that further industry consolidation threatens thousands of jobs.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 July 2026
Still, the absence of Graham and McConnell threatens to complicate committee work and floor action at a moment when time is already scarce.

— Nik Popli, Time, 13 July 2026

Definition of threatens

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perilous

perils

perimeter

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“Perils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perils. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of perils

noun

verb

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