1. extremely dangerous or precarious
Usage: archaic or literary

Examples

• The ship found itself in a parlous position during the storm.
• The company's finances were in a parlous state after the market crash.
• He made a parlous journey across the treacherous mountain pass.
• The patient's condition remained parlous throughout the night.
• The bridge was in such parlous condition that it had to be closed.
• They faced a parlous situation with supplies running dangerously low.