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

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

"We are pleased that the Disney Treasure was able to provide aid to the boat passengers in peril," Disney Treasure Captain Marco Nogara told ABC News.

From BBC

Write off Guardiola and City at your peril.

From BBC

President-elect Donald Trump's allies have been sending a clear message to law enforcement officials seeking to hold him accountable: do so at your own peril.

From Salon

We have the strongest economy in the world, we recovered post-COVID better than any other advanced economy, unemployment is low, and the Biden stock market hit more records than Trump’s, yet Fox, Musk and Russia convinced half the country that we’re in economic peril.

From Salon

Related Words

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