jeopardize

especially British, jeop·ard·ise

[jep-er-dahyz]

verb (used with object)

jeopardized, jeopardizing 

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

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

jeopardize

/ ˈdʒɛpəˌdaɪz /

verb

1. to risk; hazard

   he jeopardized his job by being persistently unpunctual

2. to put in danger; imperil

Other Word Forms

• rejeopardize verb (used with object)
• unjeopardized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeopardize¹

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

Example Sentences

The law also would allow them to conceal information that would “jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution, provided that such withholding is narrowly tailored and temporary.”

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The lender urged Lopez either to deny the request outright or to limit the examiner’s scope so it wouldn’t jeopardize its prospects for recovering its assets.

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If a person gets a large gift or windfall of some sort, they have to report it to Medicaid, and that could jeopardize or temporarily suspend their benefits.

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The U.S. poured billions of dollars into the Vietnam War but underinvested in defense “in ways that significantly weakened U.S. deterrence and jeopardized U.S. national security in the midst of Soviet expansion,” Mr. Jones writes.

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"It's a political contact strategy that does jeopardize her security," security analyst David Saucedo said.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• imperil 
• threaten