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to jeopardize

to jeopardize

191 6.3
Put someone or something in danger of harm
  • verb
  • /ˈdʒɛpərˌdaɪz/
  • US
translation icon : poner en peligro
  • You should not jeopardize your health by skipping meals.
  • jeopardize the continued existence
  • jeopardize the future
  • jeopardize security

I, I fear that that would jeopardize the duration of your career.

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Examples

  • Almost no one thought that they would jeopardize their special relationship with the regime by supporting the protests.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Failure to make clear decisions will jeopardize external support and subsequent capacity-building measures.

    Academic text (2013)
  • My research is too important to jeopardize for a single child.

  • It's not a good idea to jeopardize my future.

  • Of course, I would never do anything to jeopardize your safety or your position.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • A mistake could jeopardize Sally's life.

  • Many lawyers believe, with good reason, that any reduction in hours or availability would jeopardize their careers.

    Academic text (2017)
  • The FWS concluded, however, that neither project was likely to jeopardize the continued existence of those species.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The rapid increase in antimicrobial resistance in Europe and the world is jeopardizing modern healthcare.

    Academic text (2015)
  • His reckless driving could jeopardize the safety of everyone on the road.

Synonyms

to risk
vsto jeopardize
3.0

To do something that may cause harm or lead to loss

is about placing into danger specifically, not just taking a chance
to threaten
vsto jeopardize
3.0

To be likely to cause harm or damage

focuses more on actively placing someone or something into danger
to endanger
vsto jeopardize
124 3.7

To put someone or something in danger of harm

stresses possible harm, loss, or actual failure as outcomes
to imperil
vsto jeopardize
9 7.8

Put someone or something in danger

focuses on danger that may lead to harm, loss, or failure
to tempt fate
vsto jeopardize
  • Informal
9 7.3

Take an unnecessary risk that might cause bad luck

refers more generally to causing harm, loss, or outright failure
to lay on the line
vsto jeopardize
  • Informal
8 8.0

To risk losing something important, like your job or your reputation

applies more generally to endangering people or things of any value
to hazard
vsto jeopardize
2 5.1

To risk something important to try to gain something

does not imply a motive of hoping to gain while causing danger
to run a risk
vsto jeopardize
2 3.0

To do something that might lead to harm or loss

describes putting into danger as a direct result rather than chance
to put on the line
vsto jeopardize
1 6.4

Risk something important, like money, life, or reputation

covers risking any harm, loss, or failure, not only important things
to peril
vsto jeopardize
8.2

To put a person or thing in serious danger

adds the idea that loss or failure can also result

Antonyms

1.0

To keep someone or something safe from harm

secure
  • Specialized
31 4.7

A safe place for money that is unlikely to lose value

How Risky

to imperil
9 7.8
to jeopardize
  • US
191 6.3
to endanger
124 3.7
to expose
479 3.2
to threaten
987 3.3

Surface Forms

jeopardize infinitive
jeopardized past participle
jeopardizing present participle
jeopardizes third person singular

Morphology

jeopardize = jeopardy (transparent) = jeopardy + ize

Formed by adding the productive verbalizer '-ize' to the noun 'jeopardy', yielding the straightforward meaning 'put into jeopardy'.

Etymology

Jeopardize comes from old French parts jeu 'game' and parti 'divided', a phrase for a play where the result and the prize were still at risk. So, to jeopardize something is like betting it in a game — you put it 'at risk' or in danger.