jeopardise

Put at risk

Jeopardise is the British spelling of jeopardize, meaning to put something at risk of being lost, harmed, or destroyed.

The word implies exposing something valuable to danger or potential failure: Leaking that information could jeopardise the entire investigation.

It typically applies to abstract things worth protecting—careers, relationships, safety, negotiations—rather than physical objects.

The construction jeopardise one's chances is especially common.

endanger

imperil

Put in danger

  • perilSerious threat of harm
  • hazardSource of potential harm
  • menaceSource of potential harm

threaten · harm · damage · destabilize · undermine · weaken · expose · compromise · precarious · unsafe

risk

gamble

Stake on uncertain outcome

  • chanceLikelihood of occurrence
  • ventureRisky new undertaking
  • betRisked stake on outcome

speculate · dicey · stake · wager · hazard · exposure · liability · reckless · dare · toss-up

vulnerability

exposure

State of being unprotected

weakness · precariousness · insecurity · sensitivity · unprotected · liability · at risk · Achilles heel · soft underbelly · house of cards

threat

danger

Exposure to harm

  • perilSerious threat of harm
  • menaceSource of potential harm
  • ominousSuggesting something bad approaches

foreboding · dire · grim · looming · impending · warning · alarm · shadow · cloud · sword of Damocles

Opposites
risk vs. security

jeopardisesafeguard

Precaution against harm

protect · secure · preserve · shield · defend

Family

jeopardize, jeopardized, jeopardizing, jeopardizes, jeopardised, jeopardising, jeopardises

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