perilous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perilous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is full of danger or risk. Example: "The hikers embarked on a perilous journey through the treacherous mountains, aware of the potential dangers that lay ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

FOR an opposition politician, giving the televised response to a president's state-of-the-union address is a perilous honour, with the emphasis on peril.

The Economist

For much of the next two months I would be travelling on rickety buses along perilous mountain roads.

The Guardian - Travel

Bushfires are at their most perilous in the southern state of Victoria during the high summer months of January and February, when the vast forests and farmlands are dry and stretch out in wait, over thousands of kilometres, for the inevitable lightning showers and wind storms.

The Guardian

As the software improves, these astroturf armies will become increasingly difficult to spot, and the future of open debate online could become increasingly perilous.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the perilous naked moments, when undressing for bed, my eyes will fix themselves on the curtains.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those of us who live in the Peak park think of it as a peaceful place - as witness Dovedale, which is tranquil even when, in the summer, a regular procession of tourists walk the river bank or make the perilous crossing on the stepping stones.

The Guardian - Travel

When you are pinning your hopes on the gap between "incredibly difficult" and "totally bloody impossible", you know your strategy is perilous.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a week when BP's involvement in Russia once again raised concern among investors, the City can draw consolation from the fact that chief executive Bob Dudley is a veteran of the country's perilous politics.

The Guardian - Business

These figures reflect the perilous state of affairs in overstretched acute services".

The Guardian

In the 10 weeks since prime minister Alexis Tsipras assumed power, the state of the economy has become ever more perilous as the government has struggled to meet debt obligations and keep up with public sector pensions and salaries while surviving on ever-waning reserves of credit.

The Guardian - Business

Hearing a groan of dismay from 1,000 people seeping through the tannoy is not the ideal start to your perilous evening.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "perilous", ensure that the context clearly highlights the presence of significant danger or risk. For milder situations, consider alternatives like "risky" or "uncertain".

Common error

Avoid using "perilous" in situations where the risk is minimal or hypothetical. Overusing the word can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

Perilous functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something full of danger or risk. Ludwig shows many examples across various contexts where "perilous" is used to characterize situations, journeys, or states as hazardous.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "perilous" is frequently used to describe situations, journeys, or conditions characterized by significant danger and risk. According to Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and sees common usage, especially in News & Media. While synonyms like "dangerous" and "hazardous" exist, "perilous" often implies a heightened degree of risk or potential for negative outcomes. It's important to use "perilous" judiciously, reserving it for contexts where the danger is genuinely significant to avoid overstating the situation. The word choice should align with the specific level of risk one is trying to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dangerous

A general term for something involving risk or potential harm.

hazardous

Emphasizes the presence of specific risks or dangers.

risky

Highlights the possibility of negative outcomes or failure.

precarious

Suggests instability and a high likelihood of collapse or failure.

treacherous

Implies hidden dangers or betrayal.

unsafe

A broad term indicating a lack of safety or security.

dicey

Informal term suggesting a risky or unpredictable situation.

chancy

Similar to "risky", emphasizing the element of chance or luck.

critical

Indicates a situation of great importance or urgency, often implying danger.

threatening

Suggests a potential source of danger or harm.

FAQs

How to use "perilous" in a sentence?

Use "perilous" to describe situations or journeys that involve significant danger and risk, such as "The sailors embarked on a perilous voyage across the stormy sea".

What can I say instead of "perilous"?

You can use alternatives like "dangerous", "hazardous", or "risky" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "perilous journey" or "dangerous journey"?

Both "perilous journey" and "dangerous journey" are correct, but "perilous" implies a higher degree of danger and a greater likelihood of negative outcomes. Choose based on the specific level of risk you want to convey.

What's the difference between "perilous" and "treacherous"?

"Perilous" generally refers to situations with obvious and significant dangers, while "treacherous" implies hidden or deceptive dangers. A "perilous journey" might involve known storms, while a "treacherous path" might have hidden traps.