jeopardize

verb

jeop·​ar·​dize ˈje-pər-ˌdīz How to pronounce jeopardize (audio)
jeopardized; jeopardizing

transitive verb

: to expose to danger or risk : imperil
a decision that could jeopardize her career
laws jeopardizing freedom of speech

Did you know?

Jeopardize Has a Controversial History

It may be hard to believe that jeopardize was once controversial, but in 1870 a grammarian called it "a foolish and intolerable word," a view shared by many 19th-century critics. The preferred word was jeopard, which first appeared in print in the 14th century. (The upstart jeopardize didn't arrive until the late 16th century.) In 1828, Noah Webster himself declared jeopardize to be "a modern word, used by respectable writers in America, but synonymous with jeopard, and therefore useless." Unfortunately for the champions of jeopard, jeopardize is now much more popular.

Examples of jeopardize in a Sentence

His health has been jeopardized by poor nutrition. don't do anything that will jeopardize your place on the advisory board
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 pair were separated and going through a contentious divorce, and Danielle would never do anything to jeopardize their son’s custody arrangement, her brother says. Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025 The judge stressed that, even after 30 years, public curiosity alone does not justify jeopardizing an active investigation. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Her critics argue this could jeopardize Ecuador’s financial standing, while her supporters see it as a necessary shift toward economic recovery. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025 The Trump administration recently issued an executive order that called for the dismantling of several federal agencies, including The Institute of Museum and Library Services, an agency that provides funds for our libraries and museums, jeopardizing the future of them all. Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jeopardize

Word History

Etymology

see jeopardy

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jeopardize was in 1582

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Jeopardize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jeopardize. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

jeopardize

verb
jeop·​ar·​dize ˈjep-ər-ˌdīz How to pronounce jeopardize (audio)
jeopardized; jeopardizing
: to expose to danger

More from Merriam-Webster on jeopardize

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