jeopardise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "jeopardise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when something is putting something or someone at risk or in a difficult or dangerous situation. For example: "The mayor's refusal to address the town's infrastructure needs could jeopardise the safety of its citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In reducing tuition fees to an artificial level, Labour would jeopardise the value, worth and quality of British degrees.

The Guardian

It is easy to jeopardise the future of public service broadcasting, but the effect is impossible to recover from".

The Guardian

"What we do not want to do is to jeopardise the future of Australian families who are buying their homes by reducing the value of their biggest asset," Abbott said.

The Guardian

Even with Noel, an Oasis reunion would jeopardise this.

The Guardian - Music

The arrests last term go a long way to demonstrate to people that they can't get involved in protest, because they might jeopardise their future.

The Guardian

The impacts of unchecked climate change will jeopardise the economic and social aspirations of generations of the world's people.

The Guardian - Opinion

"In a heartfelt intervention just 48 hours before polling day, the former Conservative leader urges those considering voting Ukip not to jeopardise a decades-long campaign he has waged to change Britain's relationship with Brussels".

The Guardian

There is a real fear that the presence of so many displaced people could jeopardise stability.

The Guardian - Opinion

The deputy Labor leader, Tanya Plibersek, who is co-sponsoring Labor's bill, rejected claims that Shorten's decision to bring debate forward may jeopardise marriage equality altogether.

The Guardian

Another motion moved by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said privatisation "will jeopardise the contribution Royal Mail makes to the national economy through the universal service obligation".

The Guardian

Any reduction in the number of staff on duty could jeopardise the safety and quality of patient care.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "jeopardise", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being put at risk and the potential consequences. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "jeopardise" in very casual conversation; simpler terms like "risk" or "endanger" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "jeopardise" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the act of putting something or someone in danger or at risk, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

22%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "jeopardise" is a transitive verb that means to put someone or something into a dangerous situation. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in British English (the American English variant is "jeopardize"). It is frequently found in news and media, formal business contexts and opinion pieces. Related terms include "endanger", "imperil", and "threaten". When using "jeopardise", ensure that the context clearly defines what is at risk. While widely accepted, overuse in very informal contexts can be avoided by using simpler alternatives. "Jeopardise" is a valuable word for expressing potential risks and dangers in a clear and impactful manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jeopardize

American English spelling variant of "jeopardise".

endanger

Implies a direct exposure to harm or risk, often physical.

imperil

Suggests a more immediate and serious threat than "jeopardise".

threaten

Focuses on the potential for harm or negative consequences.

put at risk

A more general term that highlights the possibility of loss or damage.

menace

Suggests a threatening presence or potential danger.

expose to danger

Highlights the act of making something or someone vulnerable.

compromise

Indicates a weakening or undermining of something's integrity or quality.

hazard

Implies creating a situation that carries significant risk.

prejudice

To cause harm or injury to; damage or impair.

FAQs

How do you use "jeopardise" in a sentence?

You can use "jeopardise" to indicate that something is putting something or someone at risk. For example, "The company's financial decisions could "jeopardise its future"".

What can I say instead of "jeopardise"?

Alternatives to "jeopardise" include "endanger", "imperil", or "threaten" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "jeopardise" or "jeopardize"?

"Jeopardise" and "jeopardize" are both correct, but "jeopardise" is the standard spelling in British English, while "jeopardize" is more common in American English.

What does "jeopardise" mean?

"Jeopardise" means to put something or someone in a dangerous or risky situation. It implies that there is a chance of loss, harm, or failure.