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Endanger: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：put at risk of extinction (endanger)
endanger
/ɪnˈdeɪndʒər/
vt.
To put a species of animal or plant at serious risk of disappearing forever from the world.
put at risk of extinction
➕
/pʊt æt rɪsk ʌv ɪkˈstɪŋkʃən/
vt.
This meaning specifically refers to causing a serious threat to the continued existence of an entire species, typically due to human activity or environmental changes.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From 'en-' (meaning 'put into' or 'cause to be') + 'danger' (peril, risk).
💡 Mnemonic
Think: To put something IN DANGER → enDANGER.
📖 Example
Pollution and habitat loss constantly endanger the survival of sea turtles.
Environmental damage continuously puts sea turtles at risk of extinction.
🔗 Collocations
endanger a species – to threaten a specific type of animal or plant with extinction
critically endangered – at an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
endanger the ecosystem – to pose a threat to a community of interacting organisms
🔄 Synonyms
threaten (vt.) – to be likely to harm or destroy something
jeopardize (vt.) – to put something in a situation where it could be lost or damaged
imperil (vt.) – to put at risk of being harmed or destroyed (formal)
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
endangered (adj.) – seriously at risk of extinction
endangerment (n.) – the action of putting someone or something at risk
📖 Cultural Story
The term 'endanger' entered English in the late 15th century from Anglo-French. Its specific legal and ecological sense of threatening a species with extinction became prominent in the 20th century with the rise of environmental conservation movements.
Meaning 2：put in harm's way (endanger)
endanger
/ɪnˈdeɪndʒər/
vt.
To put someone or something in a situation where they could be harmed or damaged.
put in harm's way
➕
/pʊt ɪn hɑːrmz weɪ/
vt.
This refers to the general act of exposing a person, object, or situation to potential damage, injury, or loss.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Leaving your phone charging on the bed could endanger your safety by creating a fire risk.
Charging a phone on a bed might put your safety at risk due to potential fire hazards.
🔗 Collocations
endanger lives – to put people's lives at risk
endanger public safety – to pose a threat to the well-being of the general public
endanger a mission – to put the success of a planned operation at risk
🔄 Synonyms
risk (vt.) – to expose to the chance of injury or loss
hazard (vt.) – to expose to danger (often used in formal contexts)
compromise (vt.) – to bring into danger, especially security or principles
Wordbook
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