Definition

Noun: 1. The state of being exposed to the possibility of harm, loss, or destruction: "Endangerment" refers to the condition of being put at risk or in peril. 2. The act of putting someone or something in such a dangerous situation: It can also describe the action of causing this state of risk.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The construction of the dam caused the endangerment of several native fish species. (The dam's construction put the fish species at risk of extinction.)
  • Driving while texting is a serious act of endangerment to yourself and others. (The action of texting while driving creates a dangerous situation for everyone.)
  • The report highlighted the endangerment of historical sites due to urban development. (The report emphasized the risky state of the sites, threatened by development.)

Advanced Usage

• "Criminal endangerment": A legal term for the act of putting another person at substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.
  • He was charged with criminal endangerment after leaving a child alone in a hot car.
• "Reckless endangerment": A similar legal charge emphasizing that the dangerous action was performed with a conscious disregard of the risks involved.

Variants and Related Words

• Endanger (verb): To put someone or something at risk or in danger.
  • Pollution can endanger public health.
• Endangered (adjective): Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
  • The giant panda is an endangered species.

Synonyms

• Jeopardy: Exposure to danger or harm.
• Peril: Serious and immediate danger.
• Hazard: A danger or risk.
• Risk: A situation involving exposure to danger.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To place/put in endangerment: To cause someone or something to be in a dangerous situation. (This is a formal or legal phrasing of the more common "to place/put in danger").
  • The leaked documents placed national security in endangerment.

Noun

1. a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
   • drinking alcohol is a health hazard