precarious

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adjective pre·car·i·ous \ 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

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precariously

adverb

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precariousness

noun

See precarious defined for English-language learners

See precarious defined for kids

precarious was our Word of the Day on 07/01/2015. Hear the podcast!

Examples of precarious in a Sentence

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
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
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
He earned a precarious livelihood by gambling.
The strong wind almost knocked him off of his precarious perch on the edge of the cliff.

Recent Examples of precarious from the Web

Rescinding the program would leave recipients such as Riccy Enriquez Perdomo, of Florence, Kentucky, in a precarious position.

— mark curnutte, Cincinnati.com, "Obama program for young immigrants in danger," 25 Aug. 2017
But the extent to which Prince and Feinberg’s proposals are given real consideration could be affected by Bannon’s precarious position in the White House.

— rosie gray, The Atlantic, "Erik Prince's Plan to Privatize the War in Afghanistan," 18 Aug. 2017
Things seemed precarious at first, then triumphant, when Tyrion’s genius plan of infiltrating the castle from the inside worked and Dany’s army presided over a castle full of dead men.

— elyse roth, Glamour, "'Game of Thrones' Season 7 Episode 3 Recap: Daenerys and Jon Finally Meet," 31 July 2017
Just how precarious their position is was highlighted by the fact that an emergency surgery for one senator has managed to throw off the whole calendar.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "GOP uses up its margin for error," 17 July 2017
As someone with late-stage ALS though — the average life expectancy is two to five years — Pete’s condition remains precarious.

— hilary shenfeld, PEOPLE.com, "Father Who Inspired Ice Bucket Challenge to Get Help Paying for In-Home Care After Flood of Donations," 7 July 2017
As Anaya vividly depicted with his floating coffins, our relationship with sea levels and tropical storms puts us in a precarious position.

— anne tschida, miamiherald, "If you’re interested in the art of here & now, you need to see this show," 6 July 2017
The images of his dead body lying on the sidewalk with the domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral towering behind sent a chilling message to many in the opposition, who had faced persecution and arrests, just how precarious their position was.

— nataliya vasilyeva, The Seattle Times, "5 found guilty in Russian opposition leader’s murder," 29 June 2017
The images of Nemtsov’s body lying on the sidewalk with the domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral towering behind sent a chilling message to many in the opposition, who had faced persecution and arrests, of just how precarious their position was.

— Washington Post, "5 found guilty in killing of Russian opposition leader," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'precarious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

This little happiness is so very precarious, that it wholly depends on the will of others. Joseph Addison, in a 1711 issue of Spectator magazine, couldn't have described the oldest sense of precarious more precisely-the original meaning of the word was "depending on the will or pleasure of another." Prayers and entreaties directed at that "other" might or might not help, but what precariousness really hangs on, in the end, is prex, the Latin word for prayer. From prex came the Latin word precarius, meaning "obtained by entreaty," from whence came our own adjective precarious. Anglo-French priere, also from precarius, gave us prayer.

Origin and Etymology of precarious

Latin precarius obtained by entreaty, uncertain — more at prayer

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1646

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of precarious

dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury. dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

- soldiers on a dangerous mission

hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

- claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

- earned a precarious living by gambling

perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

- perilous mountain roads

risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

- shied away from risky investments

PRECARIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

precarious

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adjective

Definition of precarious for English Language Learners

: not safe, strong, or steady

PRECARIOUS Defined for Kids

precarious

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adjective pre·car·i·ous \ pri-ˈker-ē-əs \

Definition of precarious for Students

:not safe, strong, or steady

precarious balance

a precarious journey

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precariously

adverb

Law Dictionary

precarious

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adjective pre·car·i·ous \ pri-ˈkar-ē-əs \

legal Definition of precarious

:depending on the will or pleasure of another — see also precarious possession at possession

Learn More about precarious

See words that rhyme with precarious Spanish Central: Translation of precarious Nglish: Translation of precarious for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of precarious for Arabic speakers

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Definition of precarious

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precarious was our Word of the Day on 07/01/2015. Hear the podcast!

Examples of precarious in a Sentence

Recent Examples of precarious from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of precarious

Synonym Discussion of precarious

PRECARIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

precarious

Definition of precarious for English Language Learners

PRECARIOUS Defined for Kids

precarious

Definition of precarious for Students

precariously

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precarious

legal Definition of precarious

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