peril
gb/pˈɛɹəl/ us/pˈɛɹəl/
B2
English
~ 8700
veszély, veszélyeztet
NOUN
B2
1
veszély
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone]/[something] is in peril
The climbers knew they were in grave peril as the storm closed in around them.
A hegymászók tudták, hogy súlyos veszélyben vannak, ahogy a vihar körbezárta őket.
Journalists often face great peril when reporting from war zones.
Az újságírók gyakran nagy veszélynek vannak kitéve, amikor háborús övezetekből tudósítanak.
The report warned that many coastal cities are in peril from rising sea levels.
Ignoring these safety rules puts children in unnecessary peril.
The novel follows a family’s peril during the long, harsh winter.
Learner examples
The small boat was in peril during the big storm.
A kis hajó veszélyben volt a nagy viharban.
Firefighters risk peril to save other people.
A tűzoltók veszélynek teszik ki magukat, hogy más embereket megmentsenek.
The doctor’s quick action saved the baby from peril.
Many animals are in peril because their homes are gone.
He did not see the peril until it was too late.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'peril' for everyday, minor risks (like missing a bus). In modern English, 'peril' usually suggests very serious or dramatic danger, not small problems. For normal risk, 'risk' or 'danger' is more natural.
Meaning
Serious and immediate danger
Collocations
in peril
|mortal peril
|great peril
|the perils of
|at your peril
|legal perils
Synonyms
danger (More common and general; can describe both mild and serious risk, while 'peril' suggests very serious danger.)
|
jeopardy (Often more formal or legal-sounding; similar level of seriousness to 'peril'.)
|
risk (Broader and sometimes milder; 'peril' usually implies a higher and more immediate chance of harm.)
Antonyms
safety (Describes being protected from harm, the opposite of being in peril.)
|
security (Emphasizes being free from danger or threat, contrasting with the serious threat implied by 'peril'.)
Themes
danger
|safety
|law
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very serious kind of danger that can cause great harm or even death.
A situation or state of serious and often immediate danger, especially where great harm, loss, or death is likely.
VERB
C1
LITERARY
2
veszélyeztet
B2
Usage pattern:
to peril [someone]/[something]
Cutting corners on safety would peril the lives of the workers.
A biztonsági szabályok megkerülése veszélyeztetné a munkások életét.
They refused to sign any agreement that might peril their independence.
Nem voltak hajlandók aláírni semmilyen megállapodást, amely veszélyeztethetné a függetlenségüket.
His reckless driving periled everyone else on the road.
The leaders’ failure to act has periled the country’s future.
Investing all their savings in one risky project periled the family’s financial security.
Learner examples
The manager will not peril his team just to finish faster.
A vezető nem fogja veszélyeztetni a csapatát csak azért, hogy gyorsabban végezzen.
Such a long delay could peril the whole plan.
Egy ilyen hosszú késés veszélyeztetheti az egész tervet.
He does not want to peril his health by working all night.
Bad weather may peril the flight.
They will not peril their friendship for more money.
Meaning
To place in serious danger
Collocations
to peril lives
|periled by
|periling the mission
|periled reputation
Synonyms
endanger (The normal modern verb; more common and neutral, while 'peril' as a verb sounds literary or old-fashioned.)
|
imperil (Very close in meaning and tone; slightly more common than 'peril' as a verb in modern formal writing.)
Antonyms
protect (Means to keep someone or something safe, directly opposite to putting them in danger.)
|
safeguard (A more formal way to say protect; implies active measures to avoid the kind of danger suggested by 'peril'.)
Themes
danger
|safety
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To put a person or thing in very serious danger.
To expose someone or something to very serious danger; to endanger greatly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
peril
IPA
GB/pˈɛɹəl/
US/pˈɛɹəl/
Syllables & stress
per - il (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: peril
- Plural: peril, perils
Word family
Forms
perils
noun
Core family
perilous
adjective C1
Related words
perilously
adverb
Advanced or less common
imperil
verb
Expressions
at your peril
1/ˈæt jˈʊɹ pˈɛɹəl/
idiom
Warning that an action is risky
Used to warn someone that if they do something, it is very dangerous or will cause bad problems for them.
Examples
- You can ignore these safety guidelines at your peril.
- Drivers speed through this village at their peril; the road is full of sharp bends.
- Politicians dismiss young voters at their peril.
in peril
1/ˈɪn pˈɛɹəl/
fixed phrase
In a state of serious danger
In very serious danger.
Examples
- Several villages are in peril from the rising river.
- The rescue team worked through the night to save animals in peril.
- Their business is in peril because sales have fallen so quickly.
mortal peril
1/mˈɔɹtəl pˈɛɹəl/
fixed phrase
literary
Danger that may cause death
A kind of danger where a person may die.
Examples
- The soldiers found themselves in mortal peril when the bridge collapsed.
- Without quick medical help, the patient would be in mortal peril.
- The film shows the hero in mortal peril again and again.
the perils of
1/ðə pˈɛɹəlz əv/
fixed phrase
Dangers or difficulties of something
The serious dangers or problems that come with a certain thing, activity, or way of life.
Examples
- The article described the perils of online dating.
- Parents worry about the perils of social media for children.
- He joked about the perils of working from home with small kids.