imperil

[ im-per-uhl ]

/ ɪmˈpɛr əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR imperil ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), im·per·iled, im·per·il·ing or (especially British) im·per·illed, im·per·il·ling.

to put in peril or danger; endanger.

Nearby words

imperial moth, imperial presidency, imperial valley, imperial war museum, imperialism, imperil, imperious, imperishable, imperium, impermanent, impermeable

Origin of imperil

First recorded in 1590–1600; im-¹ + peril

SYNONYMS FOR imperil

risk, jeopardize, hazard, chance.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR imperil ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

im·per·il·ment, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for imperil

You want less concentration in banking—at least the type that will screw the little guy and imperil the economy?
How Naive is Elizabeth Warren?|Nick Gillespie|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The goal should be to enable that flow without allowing undue systemic risk and greed to imperil it.
JPMorgan’s $2 Billion Loss Fueled by Efforts to Avoid Risk|Zachary Karabell|May 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Romney warned that a second Obama term would “remake” the Supreme Court and imperil the future of gun rights.
Newt Gingrich Calls for Universal Right to Bear Arms at NRA Forum|Michael Ames|April 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A meltdown at the plant could imperil tens of thousands of citizens, especially children and pregnant women.
Why America Isn't Ready for a Disaster|Irwin Redlener|March 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Tax cuts, Labour argues, will imperil economic recovery—not exactly the type of message you win voters over with.
Brits Get Ready to Rumble|Alex Massie|April 5, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Not satisfied to torment her in the body, he must imperil her soul by placing desperate temptation in her way.
A Handbook to the Works of Browning (6th ed.)|Mrs. Sutherland Orr
He would not let him imperil Monsieur, but aside from that he wished him every good fortune in the world.
Helmet of Navarre|Bertha Runkle
He did not wish to imperil Alan's superb aloofness by involving him in the acrimonious and undignified defence of a friend.
Sinister Street, vol. 1|Compton Mackenzie
In those of which we are speaking a too strong light seems to imperil the success of the experiment.
Mysterious Psychic Forces|Camille Flammarion
Nothing had occurred thus far during the trip to imperil the safety of the caravan, nor was any attack by the savages looked for.
The Old Santa Fe Trail|Henry Inman

British Dictionary definitions for imperil

imperil

/ (ɪmˈpɛrɪl) /

verb -rils, -rilling or -rilled or US -rils, -riling or -riled

(tr) to place in danger or jeopardy; endanger

Derived Forms

imperilment, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012