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
The bloc doesn’t have a mechanism to expel a wayward member, but Western diplomats told me that brazen electoral theft would inaugurate a perilous new era.
—
Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Four astronauts are preparing for a perilous return through Earth's atmosphere to make a splashdown near California and put the finishing touches on a moon-circling mission that will etch their names in history.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
The first year of life is a perilous stretch for young grizzlies navigating the vast and unforgiving terrain of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Nia just stares at her, as perilous and unblinking as the sun, and doesn’t say a word.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perilous
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Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Four astronauts are preparing for a perilous return through Earth's atmosphere to make a splashdown near California and put the finishing touches on a moon-circling mission that will etch their names in history.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
The first year of life is a perilous stretch for young grizzlies navigating the vast and unforgiving terrain of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
Nia just stares at her, as perilous and unblinking as the sun, and doesn’t say a word.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Apr. 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 12 Apr. 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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