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 Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in mitigating the risk of wildfires during these perilous conditions. Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025 The film follows Ne Zha, a demon child raised by humans, who must embark on a perilous quest to obtain an elixir to restore the body of his uneasy ally, the dragon prince Ao Bing. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025 Our ancestors crossed a vast ocean, strode into the unknown wilderness, and carved their fortunes from the rock and soil of a perilous and very dangerous frontier. CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025 The Iron Man, for example, crafts a sturdy walking stick for the Scarecrow and, when the Scarecrow is stranded in the water during a perilous river crossing, Elli and the others refuse to leave him behind. Christin Bohnke, JSTOR Daily, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perilous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perilous
Adjective
  • Prioritising one competition in favour of another is a dangerous game to play in any case when the stakes are so high.
    Mark Critchley, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The most immediate context for this comment is presumably both the backlash to Hogwarts Legacy and the ongoing backlash over Rowling’s views writ large regarding trans women being dangerous predators.
    Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Specialized drivers transporting hazardous materials or oversized loads can earn $75,750–$118,600 per year, while owner-operators may make $85,000–$100,000, excluding maintenance expenses.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The plane was removed from the water by 10 a.m., per ABC 9. Crews are working to contain a hazardous materials incident related to the plane incident.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Relying on one job is risky, so explore side gigs, driving for rideshare apps, tutoring online, or selling a skill on platforms like Upwork.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • To dig down into the data, though, some parts of your flight are riskier than others — read more here.
    Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In total, 36 people were hospitalized, and 7 people developed Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney disorder.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • These behaviors can lead to serious side effects, from bloating and nausea all the way up to heart attack and stroke, Pasricha says.
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perilous. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on perilous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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