imperil

American  

[im-per-uhl] / ɪmˈpɛr əl /

verb (used with object)

imperiled, imperiling, imperilled, imperilling

1. to put in peril or danger; endanger.

   Synonyms:

   chance, hazard, jeopardize, risk

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imperil British  

/ ɪmˈpɛrɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to place in danger or jeopardy; endanger

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Other Word Forms

• imperilment noun

Etymology

Origin of imperil

First recorded in 1590–1600; im- ¹ + peril

Explanation

One thing can imperil another when it threatens to be harmful. For example, an approaching storm with hurricane-force winds might imperil the geraniums you just planted in your front yard. A city's budget cuts might imperil a school's ability to hire new teachers and buy supplies. The lack of money, in other words, is a threat to schools. Likewise, a factory's refusal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions will imperil the air quality nearby — and ultimately, imperil the health of the whole planet. The word imperil comes from in and peril, meaning "danger."

Example Sentences

The hit could imperil the U.A.E.’s agenda to establish itself as a premier global hub for data centers powering artificial intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

In the mid-19th century, do-gooders such as William Alcott and Sarah Josepha Hale began urging children be fed a bland diet, lest rich flavoring imperil their health and futures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Should Roblox lose these cases, the penalties could add up quickly and imperil the company’s image—potentially leading to a moral panic.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

It’s designed to push us into less-tapped areas of empathy for a forgotten class of citizens who are willing to imperil their lives for something more than mere survival.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

He had told himself, as he walked to see his father, that any show of emotions, any hint of final leave-taking could imperil the escape.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

Related Words

• compromise
• endanger
• jeopardize
• menace