jeopardize

verb

jeop·ar·dize ˈje-pər-ˌdīz

jeopardized; jeopardizing

Synonyms of jeopardize next

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.

Meanwhile, the House’s top tax writer, Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith, argues that splitting up Trump’s agenda into two bills, particularly the tax policy, risks jeopardizing it. —

Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024 These industries are accustomed to strict protocols and have a vested interest in maintaining them—cybersecurity failures could damage their reputations and jeopardize their operations. —

Gregory Francis, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Election results have plunged France and Germany into political turmoil—and jeopardized the continent’s agenda. —

Barry Eichengreen, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024 Some fear his second could jeopardize the nation’s ability to respond to new or resurgent infectious threats. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for jeopardize