Synonym Chooser

How is the word perilous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of perilous are dangerous, hazardous, precarious, and risky. While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

When might dangerous be a better fit than perilous?

The words dangerous and perilous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

When is it sensible to use hazardous instead of perilous?

The synonyms hazardous and perilous are sometimes interchangeable, but hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When can precarious be used instead of perilous?

While in some cases nearly identical to perilous, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

When would risky be a good substitute for perilous?

In some situations, the words risky and perilous are roughly equivalent. However, risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of perilous All of this is just one more red flag that Earth’s climate is heading into new and perilous territory. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025 Aside from the Nez Perce losing access to the area near the Stibnite mine for at least 20 years, the tribe worries that the project would only worsen the perilous situation. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025 The film’s synopsis reads: Harris embarks on a perilous new cave diving expedition that will push the limits of adventure and force him to confront his deepest fears. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025 To spare Habiba a long and perilous journey, Jordan had requested an airlift by its military from the Israel-Gaza border, but Israel denied that request, according to a senior Jordanian official, who told CNN Israeli authorities would only approve a land movement. Abeer Salman, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perilous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perilous
Adjective
  • Hamilton said that wind shear combined with an icy runway would make dangerous conditions for a flip.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Schools districts throughout Kentucky closed on Monday, citing flooded streets, dangerous travel conditions and power outages that impacted some 15,000 homes and businesses.
    Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Even as the cause of Mr. Grant’s death remains unknown, advocates of prison safety say that the strikes are creating hazardous conditions for inmates and warn that more deaths may occur if the labor dispute is not quickly resolved.
    Jay Root, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
  • North Carolina is also experiencing hazardous winter conditions, with an advisory in effect until 10 a.m. EST Friday for areas including Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, and surrounding counties.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Global histories, by dint of their ambition, can be risky.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Early on, adoption can be risky, but everyone is talking about the technology.
    Chantelle Lee, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Monday's crash is the fifth serious aviation incident since late January, including the crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, D.C., between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger plane that left 67 dead.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
  • For years, though, the independent federal agency took serious enforcement actions, which were spurred by consumer complaints and investigative reports.
    Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perilous. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on perilous

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