imperil
verb
im·per·il im-ˈper-əl 
-ˈpe-rəl
imperiled or imperilled; imperiling or imperilling
transitive verb
: to bring into peril : endanger
imperilment
im-ˈper-əl-mənt
noun -ˈpe-rəl-
Synonyms
- adventure
- compromise
- endanger
- gamble (with)
- hazard
- jeopard
- jeopardize
- menace
- peril
- risk
- venture
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The toxic fumes imperiled the lives of the trapped miners. The financial health of the company was imperiled by a string of bad investments. a list of imperiled species
Recent Examples on the Web Environmentalists and biologists fear that losing white sage also would imperil native pollinators who depend on flowering plants. 
Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 28 Aug. 2022 The government of Chinese President Xi Jinping also cut off talks with the United States on military issues and climate change, a decision that foreign policy experts feared could imperil progress at a global climate summit in November. Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2022 Both states have highly popular moderate Republican governors who opposed Trump, which prompted him to seek revenge and imperil GOP control of the governorships. Jonathan Martin, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2022 Researchers have built an algorithm that can scan old astronomical images for unnoticed space rocks, helping to detect objects that could one day imperil Earth. New York Times, 31 May 2022 As Echo Park exemplifies, efforts to raise property values imperil long-term residents. Tracy Rosenthal, The New Republic, 19 May 2022 The total amount awarded against Mr. Jones in his Austin hometown could imperil the popular broadcaster and his Infowars empire, which has sought bankruptcy protection. Rob Copeland, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 But like many regulars, the rise of newcomers is beginning to imperil their permanence. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 May 2022 Tribes and environmentalists, who continue to argue that the mine would imperil lands, groundwaters and species in the area, have lost several court battles to force Pinyon Plain Mine to close. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 28 Apr. 2022 See More
Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 28 Aug. 2022 The government of Chinese President Xi Jinping also cut off talks with the United States on military issues and climate change, a decision that foreign policy experts feared could imperil progress at a global climate summit in November. Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2022 Both states have highly popular moderate Republican governors who opposed Trump, which prompted him to seek revenge and imperil GOP control of the governorships. Jonathan Martin, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2022 Researchers have built an algorithm that can scan old astronomical images for unnoticed space rocks, helping to detect objects that could one day imperil Earth. New York Times, 31 May 2022 As Echo Park exemplifies, efforts to raise property values imperil long-term residents. Tracy Rosenthal, The New Republic, 19 May 2022 The total amount awarded against Mr. Jones in his Austin hometown could imperil the popular broadcaster and his Infowars empire, which has sought bankruptcy protection. Rob Copeland, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 But like many regulars, the rise of newcomers is beginning to imperil their permanence. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 May 2022 Tribes and environmentalists, who continue to argue that the mine would imperil lands, groundwaters and species in the area, have lost several court battles to force Pinyon Plain Mine to close. Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 28 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English inperiled, from in- in- entry 2 + peril peril entry 1 + -ed -ed entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
imperil
verb
im·per·il im-ˈper-əl
imperiled or imperilled; imperiling or imperilling
: to place in great danger Fire imperiled the forest.
imperiling 1 of 2
adjective
variants or imperilling
as in jeopardizing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- jeopardizing
- hazardous
- damaging
- dangerous
- detrimental
- perilous
- threatening
- risky
- harmful
- unsafe
- injurious
- destructive
- deleterious
- pernicious
- fatal
- ruinous
- troublesome
- lethal
- malignant
- poisonous
- wounding
- unhealthy
- parlous
- noxious
- hurtful
- ill
- murderous
- offensive
- defamatory
- baneful
- evil
- scathing
- inhospitable
- antagonistic
- baleful
- slanderous
- hostile
- adverse
- unfavorable
- inimical
- uncongenial
- prejudicial
- uncooperative
- calumnious
- opposing
- detractive
- disadvantageous
- negative
- intolerant
- competing
- counter
- conflicting
- resisting
- counteracting
- countering
- unfriendly
- bad
- resistant
- antipathetic
- untoward
- unsympathetic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- favorable
- beneficial
- advantageous
- positive
- good
- sympathetic
- propitious
- supportive
- useful
- innocent
- friendly
- harmless
- helpful
- nonthreatening
- well-disposed
- inoffensive
- innocuous
- nondestructive
- nonlethal
- nonfatal
- understanding
- unresistant
- congenial
- complying
- tolerant
- benign
- hospitable
- agreeable
- amiable
- cordial
- friendly
- amicable
- affable
- benignant
imperiling
2 of 2verb
variants or imperilling
as in endangering
to place in danger a single mistake could imperil the lives of everyone involved in the military operation Synonyms & Similar Words
- endangering
- threatening
- jeopardizing
- risking
- compromising
- menacing
- hazarding
- perilling
- venturing
- periling
- jeoparding
- adventuring
- intimidating
- subjecting
- gambling (with)
- exposing
- wagering
- chancing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- protecting
- preserving
- guarding
- saving
- shielding
- sheltering
- resuming