Synonyms

perilously

American

[per-uh-luhs-lee] / ˈpɛr ə ləs li /

adverb

in a way or to a degree that is full of grave risk or peril; dangerously.

That lighthouse has always been perilously close to the ever-eroding cliffs.

Other Word Forms

nonperilously adverb
unperilously adverb

Etymology

Origin of perilously

perilous ( def. ) + -ly

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.

We watched its robot slowly but smoothly make a coffee, scrunch up some socks and clear a table of perilously fragile wine glasses.

From BBC

But he said he was concerned about about those who are "perilously close to becoming homeless" and he urged people to get in touch if they were financially struggling.

From BBC

Paul Stowe's boat, the Pacemaker, was perilously close to falling into the hole on the Llangollen Canal in Whitchurch, which opened up on Monday after an "embankment failure".

From BBC

As this report highlights, profitability across the sector is perilously slim, with farmers battling high input costs, low commodity prices and volatile weather conditions.

From BBC

Even here, though, “Resurrection” drills down into something unbearably moving, turning the century’s end into an apocalyptic occurrence, the future perilously uncertain for these impetuous lovers.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023