precarious

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

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

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

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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

After graduating 15 of its 41 players from last season, the ThunderWolves found itself in a precarious position during spring practice with a roster in the low 20s.

— wells dusenbury, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Oxbridge Academy standout QB Gio Richardson transfers to Palm Beach Central," 11 July 2018
Erdogan’s son-in-law, who previously served as energy minister, assumes responsibility for Turkey’s finances at a precarious time.

— zeynep bilginsoy, The Seattle Times, "Erdogan names Cabinet for Turkish presidency with new powers," 9 July 2018
Quicken Loans, for example, maintains the current rules leave businesses in the precarious position of having some clients who would like to receive a call but the companies cannot call without violating the law.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Could a tsunami of robocalls be heading to our cell phones?," 5 July 2018
Currently, there is no visa program for year-round workers on dairy farms, so the precarious status of these workers poses serious concerns for the economic viability of the dairy industry.

— mary jo dudley, CBS News, "These U.S. industries can't work without illegal immigrants," 25 June 2018
In the 54th minute, Spain broke through Iran’s defensive wall to win 1-0 and avoid the precarious position of possibly missing the knockout stage of its second consecutive World Cup.

— andrew beaton, WSJ, "Spain Overcomes Iran’s Stubborn Defense in the World Cup," 20 June 2018
But, these new tools—especially a service for dating, in which people can be at their most vulnerable with one another—come at a precarious time for Facebook.

— jonathan vanian, Fortune, "Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Won't Let Controversies Crush Optimism," 1 May 2018
But its precarious status these days is illustrated by state Senate Bill 827, sponsored by a senator from San Francisco named Scott Wiener.

— rick hampson, USA TODAY, "The single-family house: An American symbol facing an uncertain future," 25 Apr. 2018
The new targets and ultimatums dished out today by Musk come at a precarious time for Tesla.

— sean o'kane, The Verge, "Elon Musk says Tesla will build Model 3s 24/7 until the end of June," 17 Apr. 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.