as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
window washing can indeed be a parlous occupation on a skyscraper
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Recent Examples of parlous
Put more directly, the idea of taking a nap in the Royal Box within arm’s length of the Queen during a Wimbledon match seems a parlous choice of lollygagging terrain.
—
Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Filling the stage with androgynous women dressed in black and making sometimes terrifying use of pure white light and heavy industrial techno, the latest interpretative dance extravaganza appeared to be a Lynchian comment on the parlous state of today’s world.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 July 2025
Trump and his advisers seem to believe that, despite the country’s allegedly parlous condition, unilateral action on Washington’s part can still force others to capitulate and submit to American terms.
—Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Read More: Where Pope Leo Stands on Specific Issues
Pope Leo also faces challenges of a more practical nature, such as the Vatican’s parlous financial state and its diplomatic ties.
—Aryn Baker, Time, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for parlous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parlous
Adjective
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Pipes and sewers can be very dangerous for pets and wildlife and Roto-Rooter, with specialized equipment and personnel, has become a go-to call to save cats, dogs, turtles and more.—
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Ole Miss has enough dangerous weapons in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy and wide receivers Harrison Wallace III, De’Zhaun Stribling and Deuce Alexander to make a tired defense pay.—
Adjective
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Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.—
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Forecasters warn of hazardous travel conditions from icy roads and low visibility.—
Adjective
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The clock gives humanity just 89 seconds to reverse course, its most perilous setting ever.—
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That on its own is a perilous position.—
Adjective
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The system focuses on physical interception rather than electronic warfare, addressing scenarios where jamming proves ineffective or risky.—
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Directed by Steven Lisberger, the movie leans hard into CGI at a time when that was still considered risky and experimental.—
Adjective
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The lawsuit names specific brands — including cereals, pizzas, sodas, and potato chips — linking them to serious health problems.—
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Kittle was carted off the field, indicating a serious injury, after he was tackled by safety Marcus Epps at the right sideline.—
Adjective
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Gorton and Hughes had traded draft picks before, but nothing like this, a sign that the rebuild was entering a new, precarious phase, one where playoff participation is now an expectation and not a luxury.—
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Costs continue to rise, services continue to be cut, safety seems precarious.—
Cite this Entry
“Parlous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parlous. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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