perilous
adjective
per·il·ous
ˈper-ə-ləs 
ˈpe-rə-
: full of or involving peril
a perilous journey
perilously
adverb
perilousness
noun
Examples of perilous in a Sentence
a perilous journey across the mountains
a perilous journey through hostile territory
Recent Examples on the Web
To do so would be rude, politically perilous, insulting to our biggest trade partner and just plain weird.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Not an easy task at a moment of perilous global politics.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
One designed for lunar surface operations must protect astronauts from perilous cosmic radiation, extreme temperatures, lung-clogging moon dust and the harsh vacuum of space.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Many undertake the short but often perilous crossing from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in the eastern Aegean.
—CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perilous
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Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Not an easy task at a moment of perilous global politics.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
One designed for lunar surface operations must protect astronauts from perilous cosmic radiation, extreme temperatures, lung-clogging moon dust and the harsh vacuum of space.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Many undertake the short but often perilous crossing from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in the eastern Aegean.
—CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perilous
Cite this Entry
“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perilous. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perilous
adjective
per·il·ous
ˈper-ə-ləs
: full of or involving peril
perilously
adverb
perilousness
noun
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