Perilous

Perilous is an adjective that describes something full of danger or risk. It denotes situations or conditions that threaten injury, loss, or negative outcomes and emphasizes the presence of serious hazard more than mere mild risk. The term is commonly used for physical dangers as well as metaphorical ones.

Etymology: Perilous derives from Old French perilleus, via Middle English perilous, ultimately from Latin periculosus meaning dangerous, from periculum “danger” or “risk.” The root periculum is related to the English noun peril.

Usage and nuance: Perilous often carries a formal or literary tone and tends to describe ongoing, potentially lethal situations rather than isolated dangers. It can apply to journeys, climbs, battles, or decisions that involve substantial risk. In modern usage it can describe political or social contexts as well, e.g., a perilous geopolitical climate.

Examples and related terms: Common collocations include perilous journey, perilous climb, perilous crossing. Synonyms include dangerous, hazardous, precarious; while risky is close but slightly less emphatic. Antonyms include safe, secure, harmless. See also peril, danger.