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.
The irregular migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and undocumented migrants, precariously – and often fatally – trying to reach Europe in anything afloat, desperate in search of a better life. Thinus Ferreira, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026 Quite a few squads had strong weeks, but for those that remain precariously balanced on the cutline, the opportunities to secure their safety are dwindling. Jim Root, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 The movie star remains poised, though precariously, to remain the one thing not replicable by generative AI—despite the best efforts of projects like AI-production company Particle6’s Tilly Norwood. Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026 Shine a light on your living room and create a home for your remote and evening cocktail without needing to precariously balance everything on your couch cushions, or worse, the floor. Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026 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 16 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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