imperil
C1Formal, literary, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To put someone or something in danger, at risk, or in jeopardy.
To expose to peril or hazard; to create a situation that threatens safety, security, existence, or success.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a serious, often external, threat to something valued. It is transitive and often used in the passive voice. Carries a more formal, weightier tone than 'endanger'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. 'Endanger' is slightly more common in everyday speech in both variants.
Connotations
Often used in formal contexts, legal documents, and news reporting to describe grave threats (e.g., to national security, an ecosystem, a life).
Frequency
Low-frequency formal word in both varieties; more frequent in written than spoken English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] imperil [O][S] imperil [O] by [VERB-ING][O] is imperilled by [S]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms specific to this word.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The scandal could imperil the merger deal."
Academic
"Climate change imperils fragile coastal ecosystems."
Everyday
"Smoking will imperil your health." (Less common; 'harm' or 'damage' preferred)
Technical
"The software bug imperilled the integrity of the entire database."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- His reckless actions imperilled the whole operation.
- Funding cuts have imperilled the future of the museum.
- The new policy could imperil our trading relationships.
American English
- The lawsuit imperils the company's financial stability.
- Pollution imperils the local water supply.
- Such a move would imperil national security.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Smoking can imperil your health.
- The heavy rain could imperil our picnic plans.
- The diplomat warned that the conflict could imperil the peace treaty.
- Rising sea levels imperil many low-lying island communities.
- The journalist's source was imperilled by the leak of confidential documents.
- The government's stance imperils its standing with key international allies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: IMPLY + PERIL. If an action IMPLIES future PERIL, it IMPERILS.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A PHYSICAL FORCE / THREAT IS A BURDEN (e.g., 'to put in peril' suggests placing something under a dangerous load).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'империл' – it's a false friend. Use 'ставить под угрозу', 'подвергать опасности'.
- Don't confuse with 'imperial' (имперский).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'The storm imperilled.' (Needs an object) Correct: 'The storm imperilled the village.'
- Incorrect: 'He felt imperilled.' (Usually transitive; 'felt endangered' or 'was imperilled' is better.)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'imperil' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a formal, literary word. In everyday speech, 'endanger', 'put at risk', or 'threaten' are more common.
The related noun is 'peril' (danger). There is no direct noun '*imperilment' in common use; 'endangerment' or 'jeopardy' are used instead.
No, it typically denotes serious, grave, or existential danger, not minor risks or inconveniences.
They are synonyms, but 'imperil' is more formal, literary, and often implies a more dramatic or severe threat. 'Endanger' is neutral and more widely used.
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