PERILS Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

perils 1 of 2

noun

plural of peril

as in threats

something that may cause injury or harm life is full of unexpected perils

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

perils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of peril

as in endangers

to place in danger a tribute to the men and women who, as firefighters, peril their lives daily

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 perils

Noun

Such are the perils of popularity, all the more ironic because Oliver never intended to be a populist. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 July 2026 Anyone who’s ever ordered a substantial piece of furniture, only to have mismeasured the doorframe, knows the perils of online shopping. — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2026 Companies continued to experience new perils as AI advanced and insurers continued to adapt. — John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 So Help Me God’s songs unfurl across five, seven, and even eight minutes, speaking on the perils of not knowing oneself, feeling suffocated by a dead-end relationship, and coaxing out the will to do better. — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026 While Pichai may have shied away from commenting directly on AI’s promises and perils, away from the podium, the Google chief has been explicit about what young graduates could expect in the new technological age. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 15 June 2026 The potential perils of this were apparent in Delaware, where a Caesar Rodney impersonator was manning the booth (the Caesar Rodney Institute was the sponsor). — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 The potential and perils of AI teaching assistants and generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT have swiftly emerged as leading topics of debate in education. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026 Some 30 agencies ranging from the Small Business Administration to the Agriculture Department are supposed to help coordinate aid after tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and other perils. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Verb

The rally in a swing district illustrates the benefits and perils Trump brings to his party’s candidates. — Cleve R. Wootson Jr, Washington Post, 22 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perils

Noun

When Doncic played for the Dallas Mavericks and led them to the 2024 NBA Finals, his two centers — Derek Lively and Daniel Gafford — were exceptional in their roles as lob threats, blocking shots and rolling to the rim.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Police said they were notified Monday about the threats, which were directed at the center in the 27000 block of Dequindre Road.

— Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Definition of threats

Verb

Other critics of the tax are highlighting statements from Newsom that the tax endangers state revenues, seemingly targeting left-leaning voters who may have reservations about the proposal.

— Ben Paviour July 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Environmentalists say that plume endangers sea life.

— Harry Stevens, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Definition of endangers

Noun

My father barely spoke of those dangers and difficulties, the way men of his generation often did.

— Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026
Authorities appeared concerned about the dangers of having a large crowd alongside the procession, with officials on loudspeakers urging the public to walk slowly, not to push and to stay to the edges of the street.

— Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of dangers

Verb

Over-reliance on AI for immediate conclusions risks individuals missing the crucial process of building foundational knowledge and critical thinking.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Delaying much beyond that risks the continuity that has sustained collider physics for generations.

— Florencia Canelli, Scientific American, 1 July 2026

Definition of risks

Verb

Will Oscar and guild voters want to throw their weight behind a movie that lambastes the very technology that threatens their existence?

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 July 2026
Screwworm also threatens to raise the price of beef at a time when Americans are already paying record high prices for burgers and steak.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of threatens

Browse Nearby Words

perilous

perils

perimeter

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Perils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perils. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of perils

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on perils

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes