imperil - Master This Word

imperil Word Meanings

• to put at risk or danger
• to endanger or jeopardize
• to make vulnerable to harm

imperil Example Sentences

Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.

• The storm can imperil our safety.
• Too much pollution can imperil the river.
• Ignoring rules may imperil your job.
• High speed can imperil drivers on the road.
• Wildfires can imperil many animals and plants.

imperil Word Etymology

Root decomposition: 'im-' (in, on) + 'peril' (danger). Historical origin: Latin 'imperilare' → Old French 'imperiler' → English 'imperil'. Memory image: Imagine a knight who, in his quest to save a kingdom, inadvertently imperils his own life by charging into a den of dragons, danger lurking at every turn.

Real Context

Imperil describes causing someone or something to be in serious danger or risk. It is stronger than simply endangering, often implying exposure to significant harm or life-threatening circumstances. In formal writing and reporting, you might say a policy, decision, or action could imperil lives, objectives, or reputations. The object of imperil is typically a person, a group, a project, or a situation where safety or success hangs in the balance. Native speakers usually reserve imperil for dramatic or high-stakes contexts; everyday risk is more commonly described with endanger, threaten, or jeopardize. Its origin traces to im- and peril, underscoring the sense of placing something into peril.

Usage Reminders

• imperil is formal; use in high-stakes contexts.
• Pair with objects that can be seriously harmed (lives, safety, mission).
• Often used with direct objects: imperil lives, imperil safety, imperil the project.
• Do not confuse with impair (to damage) or endanger (less intense).
• In everyday speech, prefer put at risk or endanger.

Common Misconceptions

• Confusing imperil with endanger or jeopardize; imperil implies a higher level of danger.
• Thinking imperil can describe minor risks; it is used for serious threats, especially to lives or missions.
• Using imperil when referring to abstract, non-life risks (e. g., reputational risk) without emphasis sounds odd.
• Mistaking imperil for impair; impair means to damage or weaken, not to place in danger.
• Overgeneralizing imperil to everyday risks; reserve for formal or dramatic contexts.

Thinking Differences

Imperil carries a formal, high-stakes sense in English. Learners should note the strong, existential nuance—it's not merely to threaten; it implies imminent, serious danger. Common mistakes include using imperil for minor risks or confusing it with impair or endanger. Practice with life-or-death contexts and think of imperil as the opposite of preserve or safeguard when the stakes are truly critical.

Learning Tips

• Learn the subtle difference between imperil and endanger; use imperil for high-stakes risk.
• Pair imperil with concrete, high-stakes objects (lives, mission, safety) to sound natural.
• Study examples in formal writing (news, reports, policy documents).
• Practice imperiled (past participle) in narrative contexts.
• Contrast with impair to avoid meaning 'damage' rather than 'risk exposure'.
• Create your own sentences about historical events or dramatic scenarios.

5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English

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2026.03.10 · 1:16 · B1 · IELTS · Dialogue

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