endanger
Americanverb (used with object)
-
endangers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
endangered,
past participle, past
-
endangering
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
endangersimple
-
endangerssimple
-
have endangeredperfect
-
has endangeredperfect
-
am endangeringprogressive
-
are endangeringprogressive
-
is endangeringprogressive
-
have been endangeringperfect progressive
-
has been endangeringperfect progressive
Past
-
endangeredsimple
-
had endangeredperfect
-
was endangeringprogressive
-
were endangeringprogressive
-
had been endangeringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of endanger
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at en- 1, danger
Explanation
To endanger someone is to put them in a dangerous position, or to threaten their safety. It would endanger your little brother if you encouraged him to jump off the garage roof into a pile of leaves. Texting while you drive is a good way to endanger yourself, as well as your passengers and anyone else nearby. Scientists warn that climate change will slowly begin to endanger many plant and animal species on Earth, possibly including humans. This 15th century word combines the prefix en-, "make or put in" with danger, from the Old French dangier, "power to harm."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Don’t force them to flout congressional intent or endanger lives in doing so.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026
Managers at the newspaper also argued that her mention of “a white man” could endanger the physical safety of Post employees.
From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026
A woman was cleared of possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and perverting the course of justice.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
“Those who escalate chaos and endanger officers will be held accountable. Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to protecting the men and women sworn to keep our communities safe.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
But he didn’t want to give Jordan the satisfaction of knowing that he had hurt him, and he didn’t want to endanger Angel.
From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper
Unions and construction trade groups are warning that limiting construction endangers thousands of building-related jobs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Although it endangers his secret Traitor identity, he tries to protect Funches.
From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2026
The judge emphasized that Dobbs focused on a right to elective abortion, while Seyb’s case “tests how far Idaho may go when a woman’s pregnancy severely endangers her health.”
From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2026
None of this endangers the mathematical theory of relativity or the empirical science that confirms it.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 8, 2026
I will attempt to eat at the table, or read the newspaper there, but it’s so small and rickety that any wrong movement endangers the house.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
Wildlife traffickers can face up to 10 years in prison for crimes involving protected species, or 15 years for endangered species.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
At the same time, the administration has moved to weaken federal protections for endangered fish and other species.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
"Just as we can predict population growth or endangered species, we can model the evolution of feelings within a couple," explains Pujo-Menjouet.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026
The act protects endangered species from people who might intentionally kill or try to destroy their habitat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026
That means that they are not as seriously missing as endangered, but almost.
From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg
As “laboratories of democracy,” the 50 states can each implement novel economic and social policies without endangering the entire country if they fail.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
But beyond their usability, the handles have been blamed for endangering the lives of drivers and passengers.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
Three men were arrested on Saturday in Gironde -- where a wildfire has already scorched 32,000 hectares -- on suspicion of endangering lives, prosecutors said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
Getting such a charter would give huge latitude to crypto banks, endangering unsophisticated investors, critics say.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
"Didn't you know you were endangering the school?"
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
