endanger
B2Formal & General
Definition
Meaning
To put someone or something at risk of harm, damage, or loss.
To threaten the existence, viability, or safety of an entity; to create conditions that could lead to negative consequences or extinction.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used for serious threats to life, health, or survival. Implies a significant degree of risk. Often applied to ecological and safety contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The adjective forms 'endangered species' and the gerund 'endangering' are equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries strong negative connotations of recklessness, threat, and potential irreversibility in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American media due to prominence of environmental and public safety discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
endanger + NP (direct object)endanger + NP + by + gerundbe endangered by + NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “endanger life and limb”
- “an endangered species”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to putting financial assets, a company's future, or market position at risk.
Academic
Common in environmental science, biology (conservation), law, and public health research.
Everyday
Used for serious risks to people's safety or health.
Technical
Specific legal term ('endangering the welfare of a child'), and ecological classification ('endangered species').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Pollution could seriously endanger the local wildlife.
- She didn't want to endanger her colleagues by rushing the procedure.
American English
- The leak could endanger the city's water supply.
- He was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor.
adjective
British English
- The giant panda is a well-known endangered species.
- Rescuers reached the endangered climbers just in time.
American English
- The bald eagle was removed from the endangered list.
- Funding is critical for endangered language preservation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Smoking can endanger your health.
- The tiger is an endangered animal.
- Driving too fast endangers everyone on the road.
- We must protect endangered species like elephants.
- The new policy could inadvertently endanger the fragile peace agreement.
- His reckless testimony endangered the entire investigation.
- The corporation was accused of endangering public health by withholding vital safety data.
- Habitat fragmentation is a primary factor endangering the long-term viability of the population.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DANGER sign. To EN-danger means to put something 'into' (EN) a state of DANGER.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A PLACE (to put something into danger), THREAT IS A PHYSICAL FORCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'endure' (выносить, терпеть).
- Do not overuse the literal translation 'ставить под угрозу' where simpler verbs like 'угрожать' or 'рисковать' fit better in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'His actions were endangering.'. Correct: 'His actions were endangering lives.' (requires object)
- Spelling confusion: 'endanger' vs 'in danger'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'endanger' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for physical safety or survival, it can be used metaphorically for non-physical threats (e.g., 'endanger a relationship', 'endanger one's job'), though this is less frequent.
'Endanger' specifically means to put someone/something in a dangerous situation. 'Threaten' is broader: it can mean to say you will cause harm, or to be a sign of future harm, not necessarily creating immediate danger.
No, it is inherently negative. It describes the creation of risk or harm.
No. While 'endangered species' is a fixed ecological term, the adjective can describe anything whose existence or safety is threatened (e.g., 'endangered tradition', 'endangered workers').