perilous

[ per-uh-luhs ]

adjective

1. involving or full of grave risk or peril; hazardous; dangerous:

   a perilous voyage across the Atlantic in a small boat.

   Synonyms: risky

   Antonyms: safe

perilous

/ ˈpɛrɪləs /

adjective

1. very hazardous or dangerous

   a perilous journey

Derived Forms

• ˈperilousness, noun
• ˈperilously, adverb

Other Words From

• per·il·ous·ly adverb
• per·il·ous·ness noun
• non·per·il·ous adjective
• un·per·il·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perilous¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French perillous, from Latin perīculōsus; peril, -ous

Example Sentences

These may be extreme examples, but the lesson here is that positioning science as the servant of ideology is perilous.

From Los Angeles Times

Raducanu saved seven break points across the fourth and eight games, finding first serves when she needed them in the most perilous moments, then striking clinically to secure another encouraging victory.

From BBC

This deeply perilous time requires realism — but not fatalism.

From Salon

“Mumbai is a perilous city — even its geography is in a state of flux,” Kapadia. says.

From Los Angeles Times

But there was nothing particularly perilous about age 27, the authors found — in fact, the riskiest years came before musicians turned 25.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delicate
• dicey
• hazardous
• precarious
• risky
• rugged
• shaky
• threatening
• ticklish
• touchy
• treacherous
• uncertain
• unstable