imperil

verb

im·​per·​il im-ˈper-əl How to pronounce imperil (audio)
-ˈpe-rəl
imperiled or imperilled; imperiling or imperilling

transitive verb

: to bring into peril : endanger
imperilment
im-ˈper-əl-mənt How to pronounce imperil (audio)
-ˈpe-rəl-
noun

Examples of imperil in a Sentence

The toxic fumes imperiled the lives of the trapped miners. The financial health of the company was imperiled by a string of bad investments. a list of imperiled species
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The effective ban at Harvard created a chilling effect at other colleges nationwide, while imperiling operations at the storied Cambridge, Massachusetts campus. Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 May 2025 Scientists are interrupting their work to pack and are worried that they will be split up or moved out of the city, imperiling collaboration. Sharon Otterman, New York Times, 16 May 2025 But this year’s U.S. Agriculture Department cuts are imperiling a way of life even for the hardy. Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr. 2025 Roughly half a trillion dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, or 15 percent of China’s total annual exports, are imperiled by the trade war, but Chinese President Xi Jinping has shown no signs of backing down. Chang Che, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imperil

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inperiled, from in- in- entry 2 + peril peril entry 1 + -ed -ed entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of imperil was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imperil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperil. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

imperil

verb
im·​per·​il im-ˈper-əl How to pronounce imperil (audio)
imperiled or imperilled; imperiling or imperilling
: to place in great danger : endanger
imperilment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on imperil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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