endanger

verb

en·​dan·​ger in-ˈdān-jər How to pronounce endanger (audio)
en-
endangered; endangering in-ˈdān-jə-riŋ How to pronounce endanger (audio)
-ˈdānj-riŋ, 
en-
Synonyms of endangernext

transitive verb

: to bring into danger or peril
recklessly endangering innocent lives

intransitive verb

: to create a dangerous situation
driving to endanger
endangerment
in-ˈdān-jər-mənt How to pronounce endanger (audio)
en-
noun

Synonyms of endanger

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Examples of endanger in a Sentence

Parents feared that the dog could endanger their children. The severe drought has endangered crops throughout the area.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Joseph Paintsil scored his first two goals since August as the Galaxy hung on impressively for a point, but endangered their own playoff hopes by blowing the lead in another thrilling El Tráfico derby. — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 Kumar faces two counts of first-degree manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person in Deschutes County stemming from the fatal wreck. — Eric MacK , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 The next day, February 9th, Nakira was charged with first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, desecrating human remains, and tampering with physical evidence. — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 The defense secretary warned that financial transactions on prediction markets could expose sensitive military movements to foreign adversaries and endanger American troops. — James Laporta, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for endanger

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of endanger was in 1964

Rhymes for endanger

See All Rhymes for endanger

Browse Nearby Words

end-and-end
endanger
endangered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Endanger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endanger. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

endanger

verb
en·​dan·​ger in-ˈdān-jər How to pronounce endanger (audio)
endangered; endangering -ˈdānj-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce endanger (audio)
: to bring into danger or peril
endangerment
-mənt How to pronounce endanger (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

endanger

transitive verb
en·​dan·​ger
: to bring into danger or peril

intransitive verb

: to create a dangerous situation
charged with driving to endanger
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