perilous

adjective

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per·il·ous | \ ˈper-ə-ləs

, ˈpe-rə- \

Definition of perilous

: full of or involving peril a perilous journey

Other Words from perilous Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About perilous

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Choose the Right Synonym for perilous

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury. dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully. soldiers on a dangerous mission hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure. claims that smoking is hazardous to your health precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty. earned a precarious living by gambling perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger. perilous mountain roads risky often applies to a known and accepted danger. shied away from risky investments

Examples of perilous in a Sentence

a perilous journey across the mountains a perilous journey through hostile territory

Recent Examples on the Web During a different, less perilous time, that might be acceptable. — Frida Ghitis, CNN, 24 Sep. 2021 An article on Sunday about the perilous Darién Gap route many migrants take to reach the United States misstated the geographical definition of the Darién Gap. — New York Times, 4 Oct. 2021 The perilous web woven by Atlanta’s Black misleadership class, white wealth, and law enforcement leave justice-seeking communities weary. — Essence, 4 Oct. 2021 Still, the idea that Democrats have plenty of time is a perilous one. — Stephen Collinson, CNN, 4 Oct. 2021 Hiring behind a wave of multiple projects that started at the same time was a perilous task because there was no certainty of work after the projects ended. — Kristina Safarova, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021 As a result, none of this comes off as very perilous, suspenseful or even credible on its own fantasy terms. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 Oct. 2021 Gathered below are images from recent months of some of the thousands of Haitians (and others) making their perilous trip north. — Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 28 Sep. 2021 Six employees died of asphyxiation, others were injured, and still others were traumatized in an event that led to calls for greater safety in the notoriously perilous meatpacking industry. — Joshua Sharpe, ajc, 27 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perilous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.