What is the meaning of sword of Damocles?

noun

  • A constant and imminent peril.
    • usage: "the possibility hangs over their heads like the sword of Damocles"
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
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APAWordNet. (2010). sword of damocles. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/sword_of_damocles/definitions/1247264
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "sword of damocles" http://smartdefine.org/sword_of_damocles/definitions/1247264 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, sword of damocles, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/sword_of_damocles/definitions/1247264>.
MLAWordNet. "sword of damocles" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/sword_of_damocles/definitions/1247264>