Definition of Sword of Damocles

1. Noun. A constant and imminent peril. "The possibility hangs over their heads like the sword of Damocles"

Generic synonyms: Endangerment, Hazard, Jeopardy, Peril, Risk

Definition of Sword of Damocles

1. Noun. A thing or situation which causes a prolonged state of impending doom or misfortune. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sword Of Damocles

sword-cut
sword-shaped
sword and sandal
sword and sorcery
sword arm
sword bean
sword cane
sword dance
sword dancing
sword fern
sword fighting
sword hand
sword knot
sword lily
sword of Damocles (current term)
sword stick
swordbearer
swordbearers
swordbearing
swordbelt
swordbelts
swordbill
swordbills
swordcraft
sworde
sworded
sworder
sworders
swordfight

Literary usage of Sword of Damocles

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Handy-book of Literary Curiosities by William Shepard Walsh (1892)
"Madame de Staël called ridicule " the sword of Damocles," and she explained her meaning to be that the fear of it tends to prune away the little social ..."

2. The Universal Anthology: A Collection of the Best Literature, Ancient by Richard Garnett, Leon Vallée, Alois Brandl (1899)
"... sapphire and of gold, Mixed with the shades of many a distant isle, That frown, where gentler ocean deigns to smile. THE sword of Damocles. BY CICERO. ..."

3. Men and Women of the Time: A Dictionary of Contemporaries by G. Washington Moon (1891)
"... "The sword of Damocles," 1881; "The Defence of the Bride, and other Poems," 1882 ; "XTZ," and " Hand and King," 1883 ; " The Mill Mystery," and " 7 to ..."

4. The Story of the Greeks by Hélène Adeline Guerber (1896)
"THE sword of Damocles. DIONYSIUS, tyrant of Syracuse, was not happy, in spite of all his wealth and power. He was especially haunted by the constant fear ..."

5. The Story of the Greeks by Hélène Adeline Guerber (1896)
"THE sword of Damocles. DIONYSIUS, tyrant of Syracuse, was not happy, in spite of all his wealth and power. He was especially haunted by the constant fear ..."

6. Ledger and Sword: Or, The Honourable Company of Merchants of England Trading by Beckles Willson (1903)
"The sword of Damocles. ENGLAND was being torn with political dissensions, and the prospects of the Company at home seemed gloomy enough. ..."

7. Handy-book of Literary Curiosities by William Shepard Walsh (1892)
"Madame de Staël called ridicule " the sword of Damocles," and she explained her meaning to be that the fear of it tends to prune away the little social ..."

8. The Universal Anthology: A Collection of the Best Literature, Ancient by Richard Garnett, Leon Vallée, Alois Brandl (1899)
"... sapphire and of gold, Mixed with the shades of many a distant isle, That frown, where gentler ocean deigns to smile. THE sword of Damocles. BY CICERO. ..."

9. Men and Women of the Time: A Dictionary of Contemporaries by G. Washington Moon (1891)
"... "The sword of Damocles," 1881; "The Defence of the Bride, and other Poems," 1882 ; "XTZ," and " Hand and King," 1883 ; " The Mill Mystery," and " 7 to ..."

10. The Story of the Greeks by Hélène Adeline Guerber (1896)
"THE sword of Damocles. DIONYSIUS, tyrant of Syracuse, was not happy, in spite of all his wealth and power. He was especially haunted by the constant fear ..."

11. The Story of the Greeks by Hélène Adeline Guerber (1896)
"THE sword of Damocles. DIONYSIUS, tyrant of Syracuse, was not happy, in spite of all his wealth and power. He was especially haunted by the constant fear ..."

12. Ledger and Sword: Or, The Honourable Company of Merchants of England Trading by Beckles Willson (1903)
"The sword of Damocles. ENGLAND was being torn with political dissensions, and the prospects of the Company at home seemed gloomy enough. ..."

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