PERILOUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

perilous

adjective

ˈper-ə-ləs

Definition of perilous

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury a perilous journey through hostile territory

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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 Severe weather cut power to nearly 1 million customers in the Midwest as perilous thunderstorms and extreme wind gusts pummeled the region Tuesday. — CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 Severe weather cut power Tuesday in the Chicago area and northwestern Indiana as perilous storms pummeled the region, darkening the sky and carrying extreme wind gusts across state lines. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 But Curious George, whose first standalone book follows a voyage from an African jungle to a New York City zoo, would not become the hero of his own story until the Reys underwent a perilous journey of their own. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 Candidate messaging Candidates could consider moderating their message to attract orphaned voters, though that can be perilous. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perilous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perilous

Adjective

The desert’s location on the southern border has led to many migrants attempting to cross it by using dangerous backcountry routes, the experts said.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Rather, this is a dangerous, shape-shifting synthetic entity that ravaged their entire planet.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Materials engineered to respond predictably to light could potentially form part of highly sensitive sensing technologies designed to provide earlier warning of hazardous substances.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
So the important question is what does your policy consider hazardous and what conditions apply to that exclusion.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

The work is risky because miners typically do not have enough protection and the accidents are often deadly.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Today most developments focus on robotic interventions that avoid the expensive and risky prospect of lofting repair worker astronauts into orbit.

— Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of risky

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perils

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“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perilous. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of perilous

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