Perilous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈper-ə-ləs/ per·il·ous

Meaning & Definition of Perilous

Perilous (adjective)

  1. full of or involving peril

Perilous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. involving potential loss or injury

    "a perilous journey through hostile territory"

    similar: dangerous, grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous, risky, serious, threatening, unhealthy, unsafe, venturesome
    related: dicey, insecure, precarious, treacherous, uncertain, ultrahazardous, chance, haphazard, random, distressing, sickening, unpleasant, ugly, wicked, adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, inimical, injurious, malignant, nasty, noxious, pernicious, pestilent, deadly, deathly, destructive, dire, fatal, fateful, fell, killer, lethal, mortal, murderous
    opposite: harmless, innocent, innocuous, nonhazardous, nonthreatening, safe, unthreatening
    near: advantageous, beneficial, good, ultrasafe

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Perilous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Perilous:

dangerous, grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous, risky, serious, threatening, unhealthy, unsafe, venturesome

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Perilous

Words with the opposite meaning of Perilous:

harmless, innocent, innocuous, nonhazardous, nonthreatening, safe, unthreatening

Related Words for Perilous

dicey, insecure, precarious, treacherous, uncertain, ultrahazardous, chance, haphazard, random, distressing, sickening, unpleasant, ugly, wicked, adverse, bad, baleful, baneful, deleterious, detrimental, evil, harmful, hurtful, ill, inimical, injurious, malignant, nasty, noxious, pernicious

Near Antonyms of Perilous

advantageous, beneficial, good, ultrasafe

Word Forms of Perilous

Derived words: perilously (adverb), perilousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Perilous

Middle English perilous, perelous, borrowed from Anglo-French perilleus, perillous, going back to Latin perīculōsus, from perīculum "test, risk, peril:1" + -ōsus -ous

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Perilous

Siege Perilous

Frequently Asked Questions about Perilous

What does "Perilous" mean?

"Perilous" means full of or involving peril. As an adjective, it is defined as: full of or involving peril.

What is another word for "Perilous"?

Other words for "Perilous" include dangerous, grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous and risky. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Perilous" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Perilous"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Perilous". Common alternatives include dangerous, grave, grievous, hazardous, jeopardizing, menacing, parlous, risky, serious and threatening.

What is the opposite of "Perilous"?

Antonyms of "Perilous" include harmless, innocent, innocuous, nonhazardous, nonthreatening, safe and unthreatening. Near antonyms include advantageous, beneficial, good and ultrasafe.

How do you use "Perilous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Perilous" in a sentence: "a perilous journey through hostile territory".

Is "Perilous" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Perilous" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Perilous"?

"Perilous" is pronounced /ˈper-ə-ləs/ and divided into syllables as per·il·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Perilous"?

"Perilous" comes from Middle English perilous, perelous, borrowed from Anglo-French perilleus, perillous, going back to Latin perīculōsus, from perīculum "test, risk, peril:1" + -ōsus -ous. First known use: 14th century.