perilous

adjective

per·​il·​ous ˈper-ə-ləs How to pronounce perilous (audio)
ˈpe-rə-
: full of or involving peril
a perilous journey
perilously adverb
perilousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for perilous

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury.

dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples of perilous in a Sentence

a perilous journey across the mountains a perilous journey through hostile territory
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.
Strong winds, sleet, ice and heavy snow are also expected in some areas, including some Southern states, later in the weekend, which could lead to perilous conditions. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025 This decision not only undermines the reproductive rights of American women but also sets a perilous precedent for the court’s willingness to abdicate its own power. Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2025 Crossing the street seems particularly perilous, to judge by the many accident sites on roadways around release points. Corey Kilgannon, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024 The other element of Carter’s health care agenda—the critical but politically perilous problem of high costs—remains largely unaddressed. Guian McKee / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perilous 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perilous, perelous, borrowed from Anglo-French perilleus, perillous, going back to Latin perīculōsus, from perīculum "test, risk, peril entry 1" + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perilous was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near perilous

Cite this Entry

“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perilous. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

perilous

adjective
per·​il·​ous ˈper-ə-ləs How to pronounce perilous (audio)
: full of or involving peril
perilously adverb
perilousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on perilous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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