jeopardize

To jeopardize is to put something valuable at risk of harm. Jeopardize the deal, jeopardize his career, jeopardize safety.

It always takes something worth protecting as its object — a career, a relationship, a negotiation, safety — and it means creating the risk rather than causing the loss. This is the -ize spelling, with jeopardise also correct in Britain. Note jeopardy, which in law means the danger of conviction, and double jeopardy, the rule against being tried twice for the same offence.