peril

[ per-uhl ]

noun

1. exposure to injury, loss, or destruction; grave risk; jeopardy; danger:

   They faced the peril of falling rocks.

2. something that causes or may cause injury, loss, or destruction.

verb (used with object)

, per·iled, per·il·ing or (especially British) per·illed, per·il·ling.

1. to expose to danger; imperil; risk.

peril

/ ˈpɛrɪl /

noun

1. exposure to risk or harm; danger or jeopardy

Other Words From

• peril·less adjective
• multi·peril adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of peril¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin perīculum “danger, test, trial,” from perī-, verb base meaning “try” (also found in the compound experīrī “to try, test”; experience ) + -culum -cle ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of peril¹

C13: via Old French from Latin perīculum

Synonym Study

See danger.

Example Sentences

Some, like the village of Badswat in the neighbouring district of Ghizer, are in such peril they are being evacuated entirely to relative safety, their homes rendered impossible to live in.

From BBC

Fortunately, Wilson and Mandvi are adept enough comics not to fall into that trap even as they avoid the equally damaging peril of too much audience-pandering horseplay.

From Los Angeles Times

Those who make it past Turkish security forces move from Van towards Kayseri city and then to the Izmir, Canakkale or Bodrum coasts - the next point of peril on the migrant trail.

From BBC

The post-WWII system of international alliances, underpinned by NATO, is now in grave peril of being unraveled.

From Salon

The debate highlights the peril for the government, even when it grants all its MPs, including ministers, a free vote on an issue.

From BBC

Related Words

• hazard
• insecurity
• jeopardy
• menace
• pitfall
• uncertainty
• vulnerability