precariously

adverb

pre·​car·​i·​ous·​ly pri-ˈker-ē-əs-lē How to pronounce precariously (audio)
: in a precarious manner
These birds suspend their nests precariously among fine twigs …Michael Hansell
… the privilege of a tiny, precariously poised minority.Derek Bickerton
Waiters in white shirts and black vests roamed, trays balanced precariously but with utmost precision.Noah Charney
… it's now balancing precariously on the brink of extinction and has become the first-ever bumblebee to be declared endangered in the US.Laura Dennison

Examples of precariously in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Center stage is a two-foot-high Roman column, with a cauldron precariously balancing atop it. John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025 Its winding main street offers panoramic views of the Verde Valley, while shops, galleries and restaurants cling precariously to the hillside, inviting visitors to explore its quirky charm. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 July 2025 While the jumps across genre and time periods felt somewhat stuttered and inconsistent throughout the night, that theme of empowerment managed to thread things together, if a little precariously. Olivia Petty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025 Six weeks overdue and precariously close to the July 1 start of a new fiscal year, the budget came together almost entirely behind closed doors with most key decisions in the hands of a select few Republican lawmakers. Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for precariously

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of precariously was in 1646

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Cite this Entry

“Precariously.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precariously. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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