precarious

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

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

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Examples: precarious in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

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

Thus, Anthem is in the precarious position of making promises about an engaging combination of combat, plot, and endgame progression—a juggle that the Destiny series has fumbled time and time again.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "EA at E3: BioWare confirms Anthem in Feb 2019, Madden returns to PC," 9 June 2018
Abe’s precarious political position at home would worsen badly if he were seen to have been complicit in a Trump arrangement with Kim that does not address the abductees.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump dangles White House visit for North Korea’s Kim if summit goes well," 8 June 2018
Rosenstein seemed to address his precarious position in a speech earlier this month.

— emily stewart, Vox, "Trump is now claiming that firing Comey had nothing to do with Russia," 31 May 2018
But perhaps no player was more adversely affected by the defensive scheme change than Simon, leaving him in what feels like a precarious position.

— stephen holder, Indianapolis Star, "Colts observations: Could this defensive line actually have depth?," 30 May 2018
The fact that boosters of Majority Whip Steve Scalise have resumed their quiet efforts to position their man as the viable alternative to McCarthy is evidence of the majority leader’s precarious position.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "The House is revolting," 25 May 2018
Over the next four hours pressure plummeted, bottoming out below 20 psi, leading to East Jefferson's first boil-water advisory in 13 years and illustrating the precarious nature of a public service that many take for granted.

— drew broach, NOLA.com, "January freeze, pressure drop expose precarious nature of East Jefferson water system," 23 May 2018
Hurricane Irma, which inflicted $2.5 billion in losses to Florida’s agricultural community, was just one in a series of natural disasters across the nation in 2017 that showcased the precarious nature of growing and distributing food.

— jim turner, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Candidates pitch ways to aid Florida farmers, ranchers after natural disasters," 14 May 2018
Such analysis might begin by examining the precarious nature of an ever-expanding European project.

— michael kimmage, New Republic, "What Happened to the European Union?," 8 Jan. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

adjective

Definition of precarious for English Language Learners

: not safe, strong, or steady

PRECARIOUS Defined for Kids

precarious

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

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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precarious

Definition of precarious

precariously

precariousness

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

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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

Law Dictionary

precarious

legal Definition of precarious

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