as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
a perilous journey through hostile territory
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 perilous
Never more so, perhaps, than in recent summers when the city has sweated through long and perilous heatwaves.
—
Elinda Labropoulou, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
The first season traces Ellie and Joel’s perilous journey, punctuated by attacks by the infected, the depredations of groups of raiders, and betrayals galore by would-be allies.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
One brother, guided by moral duty, convinces the other to help the mother and join a perilous investigation to find the child.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 May 2025
There are a couple of perilous situations where Nani and her neighbor/friend David (Kaipo Dudoit) have to save Lilo and the alien from drowning.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for perilous
Elinda Labropoulou, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
The first season traces Ellie and Joel’s perilous journey, punctuated by attacks by the infected, the depredations of groups of raiders, and betrayals galore by would-be allies.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
One brother, guided by moral duty, convinces the other to help the mother and join a perilous investigation to find the child.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 May 2025
There are a couple of perilous situations where Nani and her neighbor/friend David (Kaipo Dudoit) have to save Lilo and the alien from drowning.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for perilous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perilous
Adjective
-
And here, the country is experiencing a profound—and dangerous—shift.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
-
This vulnerability becomes even more dangerous in moments of crisis.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
What To Know There are currently no major wildfires reported in the areas, but officials warned that hazardous conditions could rapidly change this status.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
-
The attempts to reach the group were not successful because of the hazardous conditions, so a boat was deployed to rescue the group, troopers said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and military officials must know that attacking U.S. targets would be very risky and would lead to a significant response that would likely be even more damaging than Israel’s latest attacks – including putting a potential deal over its nuclear program at risk.—
Javed Ali,
The Conversation,
13 June 2025
-
In a way, staying close to the game is the safest route, even if the story itself is more risky.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
According to a 2023 study on maternal health, women are still at risk for developing serious health conditions after the standard postpartum period of six to eight weeks.—
Cynthia McEwen,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Last season, especially over the latter half of the campaign following the Miller trade, Vancouver’s penalty kill morphed into a serious weapon.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perilous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perilous. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share