PERILS Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

perils 1 of 2

noun

plural of peril

as in threats

something that may cause injury or harm life is full of unexpected perils

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perils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of peril

as in endangers

to place in danger a tribute to the men and women who, as firefighters, peril their lives daily

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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 perils

Noun

But Oak Street doesn't just spotlight the perils of man-eating dinosaurs. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 14 Aug. 2026 The perils of a society governed so extensively by corporations become impossible to ignore. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 The perils of caring for an aging parent Adult children can be thrust into caring for an aging parent, Medora Lee reports, and that can be a stressful situation. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The perils of brawling with a bin Professor Tonge puts the likelihood of an upset at around 30%. — Mark Rice-Oxley, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026 The rare, firsthand accounts show the perils faced by tens of thousands of children believed to have been conscripted into the war by all sides. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 Such is the case here, with Glenn Howerton delivering a masterclass on the perils of our increasingly tech-dependent world. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 As our planet revels in the recent achievements of this spring’s Artemis 2 mission and its four astronaut crew members, a new four-part PBS documentary series takes a scrutinizing look at space exploration and its inherent perils and promises. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 July 2026 Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey follows the incredible journey of King Odysseus back to his kingdom of Ithaca, plagued by mythical perils along the way. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 13 July 2026

Verb

The rally in a swing district illustrates the benefits and perils Trump brings to his party’s candidates. — Cleve R. Wootson Jr, Washington Post, 22 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perils

Noun

The goal is also to keep the aircraft adaptable as threats and military requirements change.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026
Geopolitical tensions are bringing critical dependencies and chokepoints into sharper focus, while Europe faces growing security threats on its doorstep.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of threats

Verb

But the department has been running into opposition by landowners, environmental groups, Native American tribes and others who argue that the rapid construction endangers environmental and religious sites and a way of life along the border.

— Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Refusing to do so, Luis stirs a rivalry and potentially endangers his own employment.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 July 2026

Definition of endangers

Verb

Others warn the strategy risks civilian casualties, particularly in Colombia, where armed groups operate among civilian populations and often function as de facto authorities in areas beyond the state’s reach.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Such concessions would be unpopular, and Netanyahu risks losing power.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of risks

Verb

Now Marie’s past threatens to catch up with her, and she is forced to do everything in her power to preserve her new status as lady of the house in post-war anarchy.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
The continued spread threatens the nation’s status of having eliminated measles from circulation achieved in 2000.

— Erika Edwards, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of threatens

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perilous

perils

perimeter

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“Perils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perils. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of perils

noun

verb

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