jeopardy

[ jep-er-dee ]

noun

, plural jeop·ard·ies.

1. hazard or risk of or exposure to loss, harm, death, or injury:

   For a moment his life was in jeopardy.

   Antonyms: security

2. peril or danger:

   The spy was in constant jeopardy of being discovered.

   Antonyms: security

3. Law. the danger or hazard of being found guilty, and of consequent punishment, undergone by criminal defendants on trial.

jeopardy

/ ˈdʒɛpədɪ /

noun

1. danger of injury, loss, death, etc; risk; peril; hazard

   his health was in jeopardy

2. See double jeopardy
   law danger of being convicted and punished for a criminal offence See also double jeopardy

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeopardy¹

1200–50; Middle English j ( e ) uparti, joupardi ( e ), j ( e ) upardi ( e ) < Anglo-French, Old French: literally, divided game or play, hence, uncertain chance, problem (in chess or love), equivalent to j ( e ) u play, game (< Latin jocus joke ) + parti, past participle of partir to divide; party

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeopardy¹

C14: from Old French jeu parti, literally: divided game, hence uncertain issue, from jeu game, from Latin jocus joke, game + partir to divide, from Latin partīrī

Synonym Study

See danger.

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, fears persist with Ginsburg gone that LGBTQ victories previously won at the Supreme Court will be in jeopardy.

From Washington Blade

Newark Beth Israel’s one-year survival rate for heart transplants had dipped, and if Young were to die too soon, the program’s standing and even its own survival might be in jeopardy.

From ProPublica

She’d had a hard year, charged by troopers with damaging a vehicle in a case that was later dismissed but that had placed her law enforcement career in jeopardy.

From ProPublica

The Public Advocates Office suspects if SDG&E doesn’t submit justification, it could put approval of its safety certificate in jeopardy.

From Voice of San Diego

Dominguez-Bello’s research collections have been in jeopardy many times, from political unrest when her lab was based in Venezuela to Hurricane Sandy after she’d moved her lab to New York University.

From Science News

On Friday, she sacked Roger Goodell, basically asking: “Hey Commissioner, ever hear of double-jeopardy?”

From The Daily Beast

I wish there were nothing for me to do but to take my Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

Even if you count the time I spent prepping for my original Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

In the semifinals, she was in a peculiar position for someone of Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

They banter with Alex Trebek and tell stories of life after Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

I am not fool enough to put my precious Naps in jeopardy, just when I am so deucedly in want of them, too.

From Project Gutenberg

How fervent their prayers for their companions in tribulation, when they themselves stood in jeopardy every hour!

From Project Gutenberg

In the former case man's most valued possession, his life, is in jeopardy, and his utmost powers are exerted for its preservation.

From Project Gutenberg

Um longed to return for her straw sandals, but this freedom of the night was already far too precious for jeopardy.

From Project Gutenberg

To try and compel them to pay was tantamount to placing liberty and even life in jeopardy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• peril