parlous

Examples

• All

• The city's parlous infrastructure poses risks to its residents, making daily travel hazardous.

• In these parlous circumstances, American Jesuits hesitated about starting a theological journal.

  Academic text (2005)

• Prisoner at the bar, these are parlous times, and we have no desire to be severe.

  Sullivan's Travels (1941)

• The refusal to face the facts about the parlous condition of the black family would lead to a generation or more damaged beyond repair.

  Academic text (2010)

• Pardon my naivety, but since we're supposed to be in a parlous financial state, how are you gonna pay for this?

  In Love with Alma Cogan (2011)

• Laughing or crying in the face of danger accomplishes little, and we live in parlous times.

  Blog text (29)

• Council chair Diana Kloss agrees that, in terms of workforce at least, OH is in something of a "parlous" state at the moment.

  Academic text (2012)

• Both reports, but especially the second, concentrated their energies on a description of the parlous state of the world and recommendations to bring about a change.

  Academic text (1991)

• At the time he took office, a complex set of rules gave the mayor relatively little control over public education in the five boroughs and disseminated authority to such an extent that no one could be held responsible for the parlous condition of the schools.

  Academic text (2011)

• The parlous state of the royal finances meant that James required a substantial dowry for the marriage of his son, Charles, and this in turn meant a marriage alliance with either France or Spain, the only powers capable of providing the sum needed.

  Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

D

dangerous

vsparlous

∞ 1.5

Likely to cause harm or injury

is about both risk and uncertainty, not only physical harm

R

risky

vsparlous

269 3.6

Likely to cause loss, harm, or danger

is full of risk and uncertainty rather than just possible losses

P

precarious

vsparlous

47 7.6

In a dangerous, unstable position likely to fall or fail

is full of risk and uncertainty but focuses less on physical instability

P

perilous

vsparlous

43 7.5

Full of danger that could cause harm

is full of risk and uncertainty but milder in severity

D

dicey

vsparlous

• Informal

30 8.5

Likely to be risky or dangerous because the outcome is uncertain

is formally full of risk and instability rather than informal uncertainty

T

touch-and-go

vsparlous

• Informal

9 7.2

A situation that is dangerous or uncertain until the last moment

is full of risk and uncertainty generally, not only last moment doubt

Antonyms

S

safe

∞ 1.0

Not likely to be harmed or in danger

C

certain

946 1.0

Sure to happen or be true

How Risky

life-threatening

66 4.3

perilous

43 7.5

parlous

• Literature

1 9.9

precarious

47 7.6

risky

269 3.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology