precarious

pre·car·i·ous

adjective \pri-ˈker-ē-əs\

Definition of PRECARIOUS

1

: depending on the will or pleasure of another

2

: dependent on uncertain premises : dubious <precarious generalizations>

3

a : dependent on chance circumstances, unknown conditions, or uncertain developments

b : characterized by a lack of security or stability that threatens with danger

— pre·car·i·ous·ly adverb

— pre·car·i·ous·ness noun

Examples of PRECARIOUS

1. He earned a precarious livelihood by gambling.
2. The strong wind almost knocked him off of his precarious perch on the edge of the cliff.
3. These states are corrupt and brutal. They are theocracies, or precarious autocracies, or secular totalitarian states: tyrannies all, deniers of freedom, republics of fear, enemies of civility and human flourishing. —Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review, 15 Oct. 2001
4. Such folks led a precarious existence, their homes routinely destroyed in pursuit of a scorched earth policy whenever Florence came under siege. —R.W.B. Lewis, Dante, 2001
5. She was the first baby he had ever held; he had thought it would be a precarious experience, shot through with fear of dropping something so precious and fragile, but no, in even the smallest infant there was an adhesive force, a something that actively fit your arms and hands, banishing the fear. —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994

Origin of PRECARIOUS

Latin precarius obtained by entreaty, uncertain — more at prayer

First Known Use: 1646

Rhymes with PRECARIOUS

Aquarius, burglarious, calcareous, contrarious, denarius, gregarious, hilarious, malarious, nefarious, senarius, vagarious, vicarious