peril

American  

[per-uhl] / ˈpɛr əl /

noun

1. exposure to injury, loss, or destruction; grave risk; jeopardy; danger.

   They faced the peril of falling rocks.

2. something that causes or may cause injury, loss, or destruction.

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verb (used with object)

periled, periling, perilled, perilling

1. to expose to danger; imperil; risk.

peril British  

/ ˈpɛrɪl /

noun

1. exposure to risk or harm; danger or jeopardy

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Related Words

See danger.

Other Word Forms

• multiperil adjective
• perilless adjective

Etymology

Origin of peril

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin perīculum “danger, test, trial,” from perī-, verb base meaning “try” (also found in the compound experīrī “to try, test”; experience ) + -culum -cle ²

Example Sentences

Seven months after deadly clashes between Syria's Druze minority and government‑backed forces, the spiritual leader of Druze in neighbouring Israel said members of the community across the border remained in peril.

From Barron's

But the peril has never been greater for the former residents of Andy’s room than in “Toy Story 5,” where a slick newcomer threatens the very concept of playing with toys.

From Salon

A researcher at Anthropic this week said he is leaving the company, writing in a letter to colleagues that the “world is in peril” from AI, among other dangers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Through the estuary window, they see a planet in peril.

From Los Angeles Times

An AI safety researcher has quit US firm Anthropic with a cryptic warning that the "world is in peril".

From BBC

Related Words

• hazard
• insecurity
• jeopardy
• menace
• pitfall
• uncertainty
• vulnerability