From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
peril
n 1: a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or
misfortune; "drinking alcohol is a health hazard" [syn:
hazard, jeopardy, peril, risk, endangerment]
2: a state of danger involving risk [syn: riskiness, peril]
3: a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or
injury; "he saw the rewards but not the risks of crime";
"there was a danger he would do the wrong thing" [syn:
risk, peril, danger]
v 1: pose a threat to; present a danger to; "The pollution is
endangering the crops" [syn: endanger, jeopardize,
jeopardise, menace, threaten, imperil, peril]
2: put in a dangerous, disadvantageous, or difficult position
[syn: queer, expose, scupper, endanger, peril]