Synonym Chooser

How is the word perilous distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of perilous are dangerous, hazardous, precarious, and risky. While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

When might dangerous be a better fit than perilous?

The words dangerous and perilous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

When is it sensible to use hazardous instead of perilous?

The synonyms hazardous and perilous are sometimes interchangeable, but hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When can precarious be used instead of perilous?

While in some cases nearly identical to perilous, precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

When would risky be a good substitute for perilous?

In some situations, the words risky and perilous are roughly equivalent. However, risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of perilous These would-be, and in some states already passed laws are superfluous at best, perilous at worst. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Realizing the Shenandoah’s perilous situation, Waddell ordered his crew to immediately disarm and cease all commercial raiding against the U.S. Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 June 2025 The deepest fear: Just four years after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan ended America's longest war, the United States is now enmeshed in another war in a volatile region, with perilous and uncertain consequences. Susan Page, USA Today, 23 June 2025 The Darién Gap, long a perilous route for millions of migrants traveling north toward the United States, has also become a pathway for the northward spread of the New World screwworm—a parasitic fly now challenging decades of containment efforts. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for perilous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perilous
Adjective
  • Making Their Lives Too Easy Wealth without work creates a dangerous illusion.
    Anatoly Iofe, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Don’t forget the sunscreen Looking toward the rest of that sun protection, a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 will often be sufficient to protect your skin from dangerous UV radiation.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Some have also reported hazardous biking conditions due to traffic.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025
  • Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for hazardous conditions.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Much of this inventory is now sitting idle on the market, as buyers steer away from a likely risky investment.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
  • This represents a highly unorthodox and potentially risky approach to trade.
    Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Over time, those sketches became more serious, taking the form of tattoo designs.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • Simultaneously, approximately 850,000 Ozark Trail 64 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottles were pulled after reports that defective lids could forcefully eject and cause serious injuries, including permanent vision loss in two cases.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perilous. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on perilous

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