Definition
Jeopardize means to put something or someone at risk of harm or danger, or to expose them to potential damage or loss.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Verb
Synonyms
Endanger, threaten, imperil, risk, compromise
Antonyms
Protect, safeguard, secure, shield, defend
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | jeopardy, jeopardies |
| Verb | jeopardize, jeopardise, jeopardizes, jeopardized, jeopardizing |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The company’s decision to cut corners on safety measures could jeopardize the lives of its workers.
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The athlete’s reckless behavior during training could jeopardize her chances of winning the competition.
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The student’s decision to plagiarize her essay could jeopardize her academic career.
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The company’s failure to update its security system could jeopardize its sensitive data.
Usage
Jeopardize is a verb that is used to describe the act of putting something or someone at risk of harm, danger, or loss. The word is often used in contexts such as business, sports, education, and personal relationships. The potential harm or danger may be physical, financial, or reputational.
Jeopardize is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, such as in business to describe the risk of financial loss due to poor decision-making or in sports to describe the risk of injury due to reckless behavior. In personal relationships, it can describe actions or behaviors that put the relationship itself at risk.
The word jeopardy, which is related to the verb jeopardize, means a state of danger or risk. The verb form, jeopardize, can be modified by various prefixes and suffixes to create related words. For example, the prefix ‘un-’ can be added to create ‘unjeopardized’, which means not put at risk, or safe. The suffix ‘-y’ can be added to create ‘jeopardy’, which means a state of danger or risk.
It is important to avoid jeopardizing oneself or others in any situation. In business, jeopardizing safety protocols or ethical practices can have legal and financial consequences. In personal relationships, jeopardizing trust or loyalty can lead to emotional distress and long-term damage to the relationship. In sports and education, jeopardizing the rules or standards can lead to disciplinary action and negative consequences.
Overall, jeopardize is a powerful word that conveys the potential for serious harm or danger. It is important to use this word carefully and thoughtfully to accurately describe situations where something or someone is at risk.