Difference between JEOPARDY and PERIL

[Gongza]

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #111 "Synonyms for danger", question 5

Pregnant women do not seem to realize that smoking and drinking expose their babies to a serious health ..........

(a) danger
(b) jeopardy
(c) hazard
(d) crisis

Synonyms Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #111 "Synonyms for danger", answer 5

Pregnant women do not seem to realize that smoking and drinking expose their babies to a serious health hazard.

Correct answer: (c) hazard
_________________________

I'm a french student and i just don't understand the difference of meaning between "jeopardy" and "peril".
Thanks for your response.

Gongza

[Daniela]

Dear Gongza,
Peril means a serious danger (esp of death); usually denotes great and imminent danger; risk of harm, loss or destruction. It’s a stronger word than danger.
Jeopardy is a less common word, has almost the same meaning as peril but emphasizes exposure to the chances of a situation. Most of the time you will see it in the combination "to put in jeopardy”.
Daniela
_________________
English Language Learning Online
Learn English with Daniela