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 The plaintiffs contend that by restricting banks' ability to deny third parties access to sensitive financial information, the rule could jeopardize the safety and soundness of the banking system. Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Don’t jeopardize your reputation, position or prospects for someone else’s gain. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2024 Women’s fertility treatments, including abortions, have been jeopardized since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Angel Saunders, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024 State regulators said such failures were jeopardizing timely access to medical care for vulnerable patients. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for jeopardize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jeopardize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near jeopardize

Cite this Entry

“Jeopardize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jeopardize. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!