noun / verb

peril

PAIR-ul/ˈperəl/

Serious danger or the act of exposing someone or something to it.

The boat faces peril near the jagged rocks.

A small boat drifts dangerously close to jagged rocks in rough water, serious danger clear, no injuries or instruction for risky action.

Etymology

Latin periculum covered an attempt or trial as well as risk and danger. English peril preserves the danger side of that range, especially exposure to injury, loss, or destruction.

In context

Storytime Haven112:50

Heedless of the risk I ran and the peril to which I exposed myself, I dashed forward

The Czar's Spy: The Mystery of a Silent Love 🕵️‍♂️💘 | William Le Queux Classic Spy Thriller

More examples

They escaped several perils.
The decision periled their chances.
Careless handling is periling the fragile cargo.

Forms

peril · perils · periled · periling

Similar words

danger: The ordinary broad equivalent.
risk: The possibility of harm rather than the dangerous condition itself.