imperil
To put something at risk or in danger
Examples
In a meeting
“This decision could imperil our relationship with our largest client.”
Over coffee
“Don't imperil your health by skipping sleep every night.”
Why this word
endanger
Imperil emphasizes putting at serious risk of harm or loss, often with formal register, while endanger is more common
threaten
Imperil specifically means to put in peril or jeopardy, while threaten can mean expressing intent to harm
risk
Imperil actively places something in danger, while risk can mean merely exposing to possibility of loss
Usage tip
Use when emphasizing serious risk or danger; more dramatic than 'risk' alone.
Etymology
From 'in-' (into) + 'peril' from Latin 'periculum' meaning 'danger, risk'
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Related words
mitigate
To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
undermine
To gradually weaken or damage something, often secretly or indirectly.
contingency
A backup plan for something that might happen
volatile
Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
jeopardize
To put something at risk of loss or harm
portend
To be a sign or warning that something is likely to happen