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endanger
/ɪnˈdeɪndʒər/
put at risk
Pollution from factories can endanger local wildlife.
Factories releasing pollution may threaten the survival of nearby animals.
formal
to put someone or something in a dangerous situation
The new policy could endanger the safety of workers.
The proposed changes might jeopardize employees' well-being.
Drunk driving endangers not only the driver but also pedestrians.
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated puts others at risk.
Often used in legal, environmental, or safety contexts to describe actions that create harm.
Collocations
endanger livesthreaten human lifeendanger speciesthreaten animal/plant survivalseriously endangergreatly threaten
Pro Tip
Avoid passive voice overuse
While 'endangered' (adjective) is common (e.g., 'endangered species'), avoid passive constructions like 'X was endangered by Y' unless emphasizing the agent. Prefer active voice: 'Pollution endangered marine life.'
Gold Rule
Transitive verb only
'Endanger' requires a direct object. It cannot stand alone without specifying what is at risk (e.g., 'This habit endangers.' → Incorrect; 'This habit endangers health.' → Correct).
Word Origin
From Middle English 'endangeren', from Anglo-Norman 'endangier' (to damage), from Old French 'dangier' (danger), ultimately from Latin 'dominus' (master) via Vulgar Latin '*dominārium' (power, authority). The prefix 'en-' (to cause to be) was added later.
Usage Notes
Used transitively with a direct object (e.g., 'endanger X'). Less common in informal speech; 'threaten' is more frequently used in everyday contexts.
Word Breakdown
en-
to cause to be
prefixdanger
risk or peril
rootEnglish Dictionary