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 young boy embarks on a perilous journey deep into the mountains to confront the spirit and prevent the destruction of his village. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024

In a city dotted with rubble and flames, the journey home is perilous. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024

But Blitz doesn’t have the narrative propulsion of Dickens, skipping its young protagonist from perilous situation to perilous situation. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024

Teen convinces Agatha to take him on the Witches' Road, a perilous journey that promises a witch their deepest desire at its end after a number of trials and challenges. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

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