What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imperil
Example
The heavy rain could imperil the safety of the hikers. [imperil: verb]
Example
The company's financial troubles could imperil its future success. [imperiling: gerund or present participle]
jeopardize
Example
The athlete's injury could jeopardize his chances of winning the championship. [jeopardize: verb]
Example
The security breach could jeopardize the company's confidential information. [jeopardizing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jeopardize is more commonly used than imperil in everyday language. Jeopardize is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while imperil is less common and has a more formal tone.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between imperil and jeopardize?
Imperil is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while jeopardize is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.