Definition of precarious
precariously
adverbprecariousness
nounFrom the M-W Editors
precarious was our Word of the Day on 07/01/2015. Hear the podcast!
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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
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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.
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As someone with late-stage ALS though — the average life expectancy is two to five years — Pete’s condition remains precarious.
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Installed in 2011 as part of the university’s Stuart Collection, the house brings up thoughts of the Wizard of Oz gone awry, and our own precarious society today.
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The austerity envisioned by the plan places the government in a precarious position.
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The Ghost Ship fire highlighted the precarious living situations of artists seeking affordable housing amid skyrocketing rents in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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This can lead to a precarious situation where splotches of white cream speckle your face.
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The showdown with Gulf neighbors Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has exposed the precarious position of Qatar.
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At the Paris Air Show, which starts Monday, bold talk from Boeing of new airplanes won’t mask the current precarious reality of the aviation industry.
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
Synonym Discussion of precarious
PRECARIOUS Defined for English Language Learners
precarious
playDefinition of precarious for English Language Learners
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: not safe, strong, or steady
PRECARIOUS Defined for Kids
precarious
playDefinition of precarious for Students
: not safe, strong, or steady precarious balance a precarious journey
precariously
adverbLaw Dictionary
precarious
playLegal Definition of precarious
: depending on the will or pleasure of another — see also precarious possession at possession
Learn More about precarious
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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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