What does imperilled mean?
Imperilled is a formal adjective meaning endangered or placed in danger. It describes a person, place, thing, or possibility that faces a serious threat, such as wildlife imperilled by habitat loss, a journey imperilled by bad weather, or a tradition imperilled by rapid social change. The word is closely related in meaning to endangered, threatened, and jeopardized, but it often has a more literary or elevated tone. In ordinary conversation, people are more likely to say that something is endangered or at risk. The double-l spelling imperilled is especially common in British English, whereas American English commonly uses imperiled. The related verb imperil means to put in danger, and the noun imperilment means the condition of being endangered. Although less frequent than endangered, imperilled is useful in formal writing because it gives the idea of danger a concentrated and unmistakable emphasis.
adjectiveHaving been put in danger or exposed to peril; endangered.
- Having been put in danger or exposed to peril; endangered.
"The storm imperilled the small fishing boats at sea."
"The rising water imperilled several homes along the river."
"The report warns that climate change is imperilling the survival of many rare species."
Imperilled gives ordinary danger a literary intensity: what is endangered is not merely risky but placed in peril.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of imperilled
Imperilled is a participial adjective formed from the uncommon verb imperil, meaning “to endanger.” The word belongs to a family that includes peril and perilous, both of which express danger or the possibility of harm. The verb imperil is now less common in standard modern English, but the adjective survives especially in formal and literary contexts.
Related word forms
How imperilled is actually used
Imperilled is formal and literary. In everyday English, endangered is more usual; imperilled often appears in journalism, literature, and official or environmental language. The British spelling generally has two l’s, while American usage commonly has one.
Easily confused with imperilled
Imperilled is the usual British spelling with two l’s, while imperiled is the standard American spelling with one l.