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

Traditionally, the defense of entitlement programs has been a very strong issue for Democrats, so this is a perilous choice for the GOP. —Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025

The thematic architecture is lucidly in place in this tale of sons stepping out of the shadows of their fathers to test their mettle in the most perilous of circumstances. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025

As told and retold over many centuries, the story sees Odysseus embark on a perilous ten-year journey in an effort to return home to his beloved wife, Penelope, and son Telemachus. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 17 Feb. 2025

Just transporting the wounded to the hospital in Pompeii proved perilous. —Catherine Musemeche, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 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

Rhymes for perilous

• carolus
• garrulous
• querulous
• puberulous

Kids Definition

perilous

adjective

per·​il·​ous ˈper-ə-ləs 

: full of or involving peril

perilously adverb

perilousness noun