imperilled

Facing grave danger

Imperilled is the past tense and past participle of imperil, meaning put in danger or at risk: The oil spill imperilled marine life along the coast.

This British spelling doubles the l; American English typically uses imperiled.

The word carries more gravity than endangered, suggesting serious or imminent threat: Rising floodwaters imperilled the village.

endangered

threatened

Expressed intent to harm

species · habitat · wildlife · biodiversity · ecosystem · poaching · deforestation · overhunting · overfishing · sanctuary

danger

threat

Indication of potential harm

  • riskPossibility of harm
  • hazardSource of potential harm
  • menaceSource of potential harm

jeopardy · exposure · vulnerability · precariousness · unsafe · insecure · fragility · instability · uncertainty · minefield

crisis

emergency

Serious sudden danger

collapse · turmoil · upheaval · plight · predicament · distress · adversity · hardship · meltdown · downturn

precarious

unstable

Prone to sudden change

dicey · risky · uncertain · exposed · delicate · wobbly

Opposites
safety and security

imperilledsafe

Free from peril

secure · protected · safeguarded · sheltered · shielded

stability and preservation

imperilledpreserved

Kept from deterioration

assured · secured · guaranteed · stable · saved

Family

imperilling

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G