PERILOUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'perilous' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of perilous are dangerous , hazardous , precarious , and risky . While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger. // perilous mountain roads

Q: When might 'dangerous' be a better fit than 'perilous'?

The words dangerous and perilous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully. // soldiers on a dangerous mission

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hazardous' instead of 'perilous'?

The synonyms hazardous and perilous are sometimes interchangeable, but hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure. // claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

Q: When can 'precarious' be used instead of 'perilous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to perilous , precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty. // earned a precarious living by gambling

Q: When would 'risky' be a good substitute for 'perilous'?

In some situations, the words risky and perilous are roughly equivalent. However, risky often applies to a known and accepted danger. // shied away from risky investments

perilous

adjective

ˈper-ə-ləs

Definition of perilous next

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury a perilous journey through hostile territory

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word perilous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of perilous are dangerous, hazardous, precarious, and risky. While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

When might dangerous be a better fit than perilous?

The words dangerous and perilous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

When is it sensible to use hazardous instead of perilous?

The synonyms hazardous and perilous are sometimes interchangeable, but hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When can precarious be used instead of perilous?

While in some cases nearly identical to perilous, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

When would risky be a good substitute for perilous?

In some situations, the words risky and perilous are roughly equivalent. However, risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of perilous The gibe is electorally perilous because of the large Puerto Rican populations in several swing states, most notably Pennsylvania. —

Niall Stanage, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024 Tens of thousands of families are living in perilous circumstances. —

Unicef Usa, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Looking at how Apple has traded around major sell-equivalent calls over the past five years, the idea of jumping in and out of this stock is a perilous game. —

Zev Fima,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024 Advertisement The Democratic candidates have the perilous task of responding to voter concerns over drug addiction, organized retail theft and homelessness — without alienating their liberal and left-of-center base of support. —

Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perilous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perilous

Adjective

For observers to project their own values and interests onto Hamas and its supporters is to fall into a dangerous trap.

John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
Williams was wearing a monitor manufactured by Honeywell Safety Products that should have warned him that he had been exposed to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals.

Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024