parlous

[pahr-luhs] / ˈpɑr ləs /

ADJECTIVE

dangerous

Synonyms

WEAK

adventurous alarming bad breakneck chancy critical dangersome deadly delicate dynamite exposed fatal formidable hairy hazardous heavy hot impending impregnable insecure jeopardous loaded malignant menacing mortal nasty on collision course perilous portentous precarious pressing queasy risky serious serpentine shaky speculative terrible thorny threatening ticklish touch-and-go touchy treacherous ugly unhealthy unsafe unstable urgent venturesome venturous viperous vulnerable wicked

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A total electricity breakdown on Monday underscored the parlous state of the economy.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

You can make a good argument that this news is bearish for bonds, because it surely raises further questions about parlous finances of the U.S. government.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

Evaluating the parlous flaccidity of our schools, James Traub thinks we’re in big trouble—but he also finds reason for hope.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

It's just that the world was in a parlous state.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

After all Cousin Artemisia was not in such a parlous state.

From The American Country Girl by Crow, Martha Foote

Vocabulary lists containing parlous

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act I

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hard words

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