precariousness

noun

pre·​car·​i·​ous·​ness pri-ˈker-ē-əs-nəs 

: the state or condition of being precarious

The noise, the dashing of the waters, … the precariousness of their footing, for there was scarce room for them to stand on the shelf of rock which they had thus attained …

—Sir Walter Scott

… at a time when a single night of predation could ruin a family, wolves were a constant reminder of the precariousness of frontier life.

—Betsy Carpenter and Lisa Busch

… has to keep up an air of high spirits through a daily struggle with his own illiteracy and the precariousness of his employment.

—George Bernard Shaw

His knowledge is fragmentary, his righteousness is illusory, his motives are tainted, but, aware of the precariousness of human striving, he must strive nevertheless.

—Arthur Meier Schlesinger

Synonyms of precariousness

• instability

Examples of precariousness in a Sentence

she quickly moved the china teapot after noticing its precariousness on the shelf

Recent Examples on the Web

Swift has described the song as a meditation on fame, scrutiny and the precariousness of love, themes she's often navigated in her own career. —Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Nov. 2025

This other story had proven especially difficult to finish, which was likely due to the precariousness and gravity of its subject matter. —Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2025

Adding to the precariousness of her situation, she's had to drive two hours at least once a week to see a specialist in Jackson. —Katia Riddle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025

Filling the gaps Reputable organizations are working to fill the void created by the CDC’s precariousness and the fact that recommendations are now being made based on political will, rather than scientific evidence. —Jordan Miller, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for precariousness

• gregariousness