Jeopardize

Jeopardize is a verb meaning to expose someone or something to danger, risk, or harm; to place in a precarious or uncertain position where negative outcomes are possible. The related noun jeopardy denotes danger or risk. The term originates from Old French jeopardie, and is linked to the idea of a divided or risky game (jeu parti) used in gambling to describe a wager with uncertain outcome. The English verb jeopardize emerged in the 17th century by adding the suffix -ize to jeopardy.

In everyday use, jeopardize often takes a direct object, referring to safety, finances, schedules, relationships, or reputations. For example, actions that bypass safety protocols can jeopardize workers’ lives, while budget cuts can jeopardize a project’s timeline. The phrase in jeopardy expresses that someone or something is at risk of harm, loss, or negative consequences. In legal contexts, the term “in jeopardy” denotes that a person’s life or liberty is at risk during a trial, and it is a core concept in the Double Jeopardy protections that govern repeated prosecutions for the same offense.

Common synonyms include endanger, risk, and imperil, while antonyms include safeguard, protect, and secure. Typical collocations include jeopardize safety, jeopardize a project, jeopardize national security, and jeopardize an investigation. The word is used across formal and informal registers, with attention to tone: it often signals a warning about potential consequences rather than a certain outcome.