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

This isn’t the first time that someone has tried to use AI as a shortcut, with parlous consequences.

From Los Angeles Times • 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

Conviction is also driving investors, particularly wealthy Europeans who see huge stakes in the continent’s parlous security situation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

I must adopt a rigid system of living, and hold to it faithfully until these parlous times were over.

From A Maid of the Kentucky Hills by Litsey, Edwin Carlile

Vocabulary lists containing parlous

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act I

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