jeopardize

American  

[jep-er-dahyz] / ˈdʒɛp ərˌdaɪz /

especially British, jeopardise

verb (used with object)

• jeopardizes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• jeopardized,
  past participle,  past
• jeopardizing
  present participle

1. to put in jeopardy; hazard; risk; imperil.

   He jeopardized his life every time he dived from the tower.

---

jeopardize British  

/ ˈdʒɛpəˌdaɪz /

verb

1. to risk; hazard

   he jeopardized his job by being persistently unpunctual

2. to put in danger; imperil

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rejeopardize
  verb (used with object)
• unjeopardized
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• jeopardizing
  present
• jeopardized
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• jeopardize
  simple
• jeopardizes
  simple
• have jeopardized
  perfect
• has jeopardized
  perfect
• am jeopardizing
  progressive
• are jeopardizing
  progressive
• is jeopardizing
  progressive
• have been jeopardizing
  perfect progressive
• has been jeopardizing
  perfect progressive

Past

• jeopardized
  simple
• had jeopardized
  perfect
• was jeopardizing
  progressive
• were jeopardizing
  progressive
• had been jeopardizing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will jeopardize
  simple
• will have jeopardized
  perfect
• will be jeopardizing
  progressive
• will have been jeopardizing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of jeopardize

First recorded in 1640–50; jeopard(y) + -ize

Explanation

Jeopardize means to put at risk or pose a threat. Jeopardize your career by posting silly pictures of yourself on Facebook. Jeopardize your friendships by posting silly pictures of your friends on Facebook. Jeopardize stems from the Old French jeu parti, which literally translates to a game with divided, or even, chances. An even chance of winning hardly seems a risky endeavor, but maybe our forefathers weren't big risk-takers. Whatever the reason, jeopardize has come to mean the act of putting yourself or something at risk, through circumstance or behavior. Think of double-jeopardy on the gameshow "Jeopardy" and you'll better understand what it means to jeopardize your savings.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jeopardize jeopardizes jeopardized jeopardizing

‘He’s never been good with money’: If I set up an annuity for my brother, 65, would it jeopardize his Supplemental Security Income?

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026

Hacegaba in May launched a cyber-defense operations center to thwart tens of thousands of cyberattacks daily, which jeopardize computer systems and all equipment connected to them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026

The union also made their initial bargaining proposal last week, the start of a long process that could jeopardize the 2027 season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

Powell warned that political interference could damage the Fed’s standing, erode public trust, and jeopardize its mission.

From Barron's ● Jun. 1, 2026

I’m kinder, saying they probably didn’t want to jeopardize the chance of taking us out again now that they’ve gotten some decent footage.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Apple and Google executives told Canadian lawmakers the bill jeopardizes privacy and digital security, potentially compelling product changes for surveillance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

That narrative is poised to present Harris’ biggest challenge if she decides to run — particularly if it jeopardizes her ability to pull in crucial funding.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 10, 2026

“These are our anchors. This is our cultural heritage. Eliminating this funding jeopardizes the ability of communities to preserve their history,” Stein said.

From Slate ● Apr. 10, 2025

Any lapse or reduction in federal funding for HIV programming jeopardizes our progress in addressing HIV, and transfers the burden of HIV prevention, care and treatment to overwhelmed state governments.

From Salon ● Feb. 28, 2025

We ought never excuse violence or tolerate behavior that jeopardizes the safety and security of others.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

The government injected billions into banks, insurance giant AIG and the automobile industry to prevent the collapse of individual companies that would have jeopardized the economy and the financial system writ large if they failed.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

"Do not approach the Strait of Hormuz; otherwise, your security will be jeopardized," Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

S. relations and jeopardized Adani’s investment in the U.S., and that they exceeded the reach of U.S. laws, according to records reviewed by the Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

If Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ultimately rules in favor of Musk, OpenAI's IPO could be jeopardized.

From Barron's ● May 4, 2026

It was a bit of a shock, then, when Fang jeopardized our fragile flight pattern by leaning forward and slapping a picture against my left cheek.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

Here’s how to do it without jeopardizing your job.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 30, 2026

Armin asked The Times not to fully identify for fear of jeopardizing his immigration case.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

Iran threatened to reimpose a blockade on Wednesday, jeopardizing 20% of global oil and LNG shipments and economic recovery.

From Barron's ● Apr. 8, 2026

Suzanna’s problems include the apparent near-insolvency of her father upon his death—possibly jeopardizing her studies in psychology—and the untender mercies of her mother, Susan, played with delectable evil-queen imperiousness by Linda Emond.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 7, 2026

“I complained that it was jeopardizing the whole matter of the information I was getting from Fuchs,” he said.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• imperil
• threaten