as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
window washing can indeed be a parlous occupation on a skyscraper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of parlous
As announced last week, mere hours after Ratcliffe was lamenting the club’s parlous finances, United are now planning to build a new, 100,000-capacity stadium, in a project expected to cost £2bn.
—
Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Its economic position is parlous, its demographic situation is miserable and its military capacities have atrophied, and most of the chest-thumping about a revival of European power is empty talk and fantasy politics.
—Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Donald Trump has returned to the White House at a particularly parlous moment for American interests.
—Seth Cropsey, National Review, 14 Feb. 2025
Such parlous conditions have turned Syrian campuses into hotbeds of corruption and scientific fraud.
—Byrichard Stone, science.org, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for parlous
Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Its economic position is parlous, its demographic situation is miserable and its military capacities have atrophied, and most of the chest-thumping about a revival of European power is empty talk and fantasy politics.
—Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Donald Trump has returned to the White House at a particularly parlous moment for American interests.
—Seth Cropsey, National Review, 14 Feb. 2025
Such parlous conditions have turned Syrian campuses into hotbeds of corruption and scientific fraud.
—Byrichard Stone, science.org, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for parlous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlous
Adjective
-
The dangerous flash flooding is forecast to be worst in Dallas, southeastern Oklahoma and eastern Arkansas.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Harvard-Westlake, last year’s Division 1 runner-up, is still dangerous with sophomore pitcher Justin Kirchner (7-0) and junior center fielder James Tronstein.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Heavy trucks still clog roads, and residents worry about toxic dust and soil, and about hazardous waste being dumped into local landfills.—
Francine Kiefer,
Christian Science Monitor,
2 May 2025
-
The Air Quality Index near fireworks often reaches the hazardous level which states everyone should avoid all physical activities outdoors.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But a downside surprise could be perilous considering the recent spate of bad economic news and the prevailing angst over the way President Donald Trump is implementing tariffs against U.S. trading partners.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
1 May 2025
-
It’s now become emblematic of the fight to protect trans women during a politically perilous time.—
Denny,
Them.,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Meshi specializes in risky decision-making, impulsivity, and PSMU; his co-author and MSU colleague Maria Molina researches misinformation and disinformation.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2025
-
Many farmers have also come to rely on the subsidies given to farming other crops, which makes scrapping those too quickly also politically risky.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
But legal experts said a criminal contempt finding would be a serious step to be avoided.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
The restaurant sector must get in the game in order to make a serious dent on improving customer health.—
Hank Cardello,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
After a couple of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander free throws gave the Thunder that precarious three-point lead with 13.2 left, the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic breathing heavy down Oklahoma City’s neck, guard Caruso took a foul on Jokic.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
6 May 2025
-
The shoemaker reported a record $9 billion in revenue last year, though the deal comes in a precarious period for retailers amid tariffs.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share