perilous

adjective

per·​il·​ous ˈper-ə-ləs 

ˈpe-rə-

: full of or involving peril

a perilous journey

perilously adverb

perilousness noun

Synonyms

• dangerous
• grave
• grievous
• hazardous
• jeopardizing
• menacing
• parlous
• risky
• serious
• threatening
• unhealthy
• unsafe
• venturesome

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

The Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century piece that is more than 200 feet wide, has had a perilous history since its creation. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025

For the rest of us, though, certainty is unavailable, and we’re left to ponder which perilous force—nuclear, climatic, or biological—will get us first. —Arthur Krystal, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

The film follows a courageous cat that teams up with a capybara, lemur, bird and dog for a perilous journey after their homes are devastated by a flood. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025

The Bucks had a practice scheduled at Tulane University on Tuesday, but according to team sources, it was canceled because traveling across the city was deemed too perilous. —William Guillory, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

perilous

adjective

per·​il·​ous ˈper-ə-ləs 

: full of or involving peril

perilously adverb

perilousness noun