Imperil

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ɪmˈpɛɹəl/

Definitions

1. To create a condition that risks the safety of a person or entity
2. To cause someone or something to face danger or jeopardy
3. To expose a person or thing to the possibility of injury or damage

Etymology: "Imperil" is simply "peril" with a prefix attached. The prefix "im-" is the Latin "in-" (meaning "in" or "into"), which took the form "im-" before a "p" sound. Put together, to imperil something is to put it into peril, that is, into danger. "Peril" arrived in English from Old French "peril," which in turn came from Latin "periculum," meaning trial, test, or danger. The English verb was formed by joining the prefix to that noun, a common pattern for building verbs from nouns in English, so the verb is younger than the noun it grew from.

Synonyms: endanger, threaten, jeopardize, risk, threaten

Antonyms: protect, secure, safeguard, preserve, shield