jeopardize

Intermediatezipf 3.10

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɛpərdaɪz/(JEP-ur-dyze)

Part of speech

verbneutral

Chinese

危及；损害；使处于危险中

Definition

To put something or someone into a situation where there is a risk of loss, harm, or failure.

Word family

  • jeopardy/ˈdʒɛpərdi/(n)危险

Collocations

  • jeopardize safety
  • jeopardize chances
  • jeopardize the mission
  • in jeopardy
  • seriously jeopardize

Examples

  1. 1.Leaking the information could jeopardize the entire undercover operation. (put at risk)
  2. 2.His reckless spending jeopardized the family's financial security. (endanger)

Synonyms

  • endanger/ɪnˈdeɪndʒər/— to put in danger — very close
  • threaten/ˈθrɛtən/— to be a potential cause of harm
  • compromise/ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/— to weaken or damage — in this sense

Etymology

from Old French "jeu parti" (divided game, even chance) — a game where the chances are evenly balanced, hence uncertainty and risk