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.

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

This time, they made the leap from software to hardware, convinced investors they weren’t crazy, came perilously close to running out of money—and built a hit product.

From The Wall Street Journal

For the most spectacular sequence, with the heroes perilously near a neutron star, the filmmakers checked in with astrophysicist Cliff Johnson weekly.

From Los Angeles Times

“I fail to see how three mere children, no matter how Incorrigible, could do so much damage. Just thinking about it makes me feel perilously close to having a tantrum!”

From Literature

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