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endanger

/ɛnˈdeɪndʒər/
/ɛnˈdeɪndʒə/
IPA guide

Other forms: endangered; endangering; endangers

To endanger someone is to put them in a dangerous position, or to threaten their safety. It would endanger your little brother if you encouraged him to jump off the garage roof into a pile of leaves.

Texting while you drive is a good way to endanger yourself, as well as your passengers and anyone else nearby. Scientists warn that climate change will slowly begin to endanger many plant and animal species on Earth, possibly including humans. This 15th century word combines the prefix en-, "make or put in" with danger, from the Old French dangier, "power to harm."

Definitions of endanger
  1. verb
    pose a threat to; present a danger to
    “The pollution is endangering the crops”
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    type of:
    be, exist
    have an existence, be extant
  2. verb
    put in a dangerous, disadvantageous, or difficult position
    synonyms: expose, peril, queer, scupper
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    types:
    compromise
    expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute
    type of:
    affect, bear on, bear upon, impact, touch, touch on
    have an effect upon
Pronunciation
US
/ɛnˈdeɪndʒər/
UK
/ɛnˈdeɪndʒə/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘endanger'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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