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
“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
"Seafarers should not be forced or compelled to endanger their lives by sailing through conflict zones. Nor should they face the risk of reprisal by shipowners if they decline these assignments," said Mantoo.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
Medwyn listened carefully, head cocked to one side, thoughtful, while Taran recounted Gurgi’s willingness to sacrifice his Own life rather than endanger the others.
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
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
An emissions proposal from the International Maritime Organization endangers the industry—and all of commercial shipping.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 20, 2026
“It’s because he won’t ask nobody to help him that he endangers us all!”
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
That sparked ultimately unsuccessful environmental challenges to the relocation plan, citing risks to marine life such as the endangered dugong, a relative of the manatee.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
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
International commercial trade in orangutans is prohibited under Cites - the global agreement governing trade in endangered wildlife.
From BBC ● 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
“Well, peregrines are an endangered species,” he said.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
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
Eisenkot also criticised Netanyahu for "allowing anarchists like Zvi Sukkot and his ilk to do whatever they please, endangering security in the settlements and harming Israel's standing in the world".
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
DELPHI: In fact, technically I’m endangering our entire operation . . . which is not... well, I’m not a natural risk-taker as you know.
From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling
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.
