What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imperil
Example
The construction work could imperil the safety of the nearby buildings. [imperil: verb]
Example
The use of pesticides could imperil the health of the workers. [imperiling: gerund or present participle]
threaten
Example
The storm threatened to damage the crops. [threatened: past tense]
Example
The company threatened legal action against the competitor. [threaten: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Threaten is more commonly used than imperil in everyday language. Threaten is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while imperil is less common and typically used in more formal or serious contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between imperil and threaten?
While threaten can be used in both formal and informal contexts, imperil is typically associated with a more formal or serious tone and is less commonly used in everyday language.
