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
Senate Democrats on Friday voted to block a Republican stopgap spending measure that would keep the government open through late November, setting up a perilous showdown with just days before federal funding lapses and no clear path to prevent a partial shutdown.
—
Nik Popli, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
These currents vary in speed and can swiftly become perilous for anyone venturing into the surf.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, as Hjalmar’s 14-year-old daughter, Hedvig, the elfin Maaike Laanstra-Corn is delivering yet another wonderfully eccentric embodiment of a high-strung tween with a potentially perilous excess of imagination.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
Conversely, households marked by conflict or instability can leave independence feeling perilous, even unsafe.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perilous
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.
Nik Popli, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
These currents vary in speed and can swiftly become perilous for anyone venturing into the surf.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, as Hjalmar’s 14-year-old daughter, Hedvig, the elfin Maaike Laanstra-Corn is delivering yet another wonderfully eccentric embodiment of a high-strung tween with a potentially perilous excess of imagination.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
Conversely, households marked by conflict or instability can leave independence feeling perilous, even unsafe.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perilous
Cite this Entry
“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perilous. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perilous
adjective
per·il·ous
ˈper-ə-ləs
: full of or involving peril
perilously
adverb
perilousness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share