peril
/ˈpɛɹəl/ · per·il
noun
- A situation of serious and immediate danger. The hikers faced a peril on the mountain, a steep cliff with no safety net.
- Something that causes, contains, or presents danger. The perils of the jungle include venomous snakes, raging rivers, and treacherous terrain.
- An event which causes a loss, or the risk of a specific such event. The company faced a peril when a major investor pulled out, threatening the company's financial stability.
verb
- To cause to be in danger; to imperil; to risk. The reckless driver put her passengers in peril by speeding through the city.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The word 'peril' has been used in literature to describe the dangers faced by characters in various stories, including in Homer's 'The Iliad' and in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.