precarious

Synonym Chooser

How is the word precarious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of precarious are dangerous, hazardous, perilous, and risky. While all these words mean "bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury," precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty.

earned a precarious living by gambling

Where would dangerous be a reasonable alternative to precarious?

While in some cases nearly identical to precarious, dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully.

soldiers on a dangerous mission

When is hazardous a more appropriate choice than precarious?

The words hazardous and precarious can be used in similar contexts, but hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure.

claims that smoking is hazardous to your health

When is it sensible to use perilous instead of precarious?

The synonyms perilous and precarious are sometimes interchangeable, but perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger.

perilous mountain roads

In what contexts can risky take the place of precarious?

While the synonyms risky and precarious are close in meaning, risky often applies to a known and accepted danger.

shied away from risky investments

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of precarious The Mets made that unorthodox decision, preferring not to wait the extra week like most teams do around the break, because of the precarious state of their rotation at the time. Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Amid this precarious situation for Miami filmmakers, who continue to produce against the odds, the new edition of The Louies arrives, offering grants totaling $100,000 to local documentarians that highlight the stories and people of South Florida. Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 The series, which takes place in 19th-century Ireland and New York, is set during a particularly precarious time in the family’s history. Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 That would leave Kuminga in a precarious position with little control of his future and lingering doubts about his role under coach Steve Kerr. Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
  • So quick, so dangerous in the final third, and surely so motivated to revive his career in a World Cup year.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • But even hanging around the base camp can be dangerous, as hundreds of holiday makers were trapped when the area was hit in an unexpected blizzard over the weekend.
    Kaijing Xiao, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Equipment and supplies were transported to and from the site using 4x4 vehicles in what were treacherous driving conditions, per the UWFRA.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Earlier, the company stressed that the rugged Oshkosh Defense Palletized Load System (PLS) M1075A1 excels in extreme conditions, efficiently distributing supplies and equipment in treacherous environments using demountable flat rack cargo beds or ISO containers.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That said, homepage refreshes are always risky, with user engagement always top of mind.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Its increase—up more than 45% over the past year—has outperformed the S&P 500, perhaps suggesting investors are valuing the security of gold more than the riskier equity markets.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The hospital remains closed, and the company that owns it, Ballad Health, has said its reopening is uncertain.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
  • While the 118 came together to save the survivors, the scars of Bobby's passing lingered, as did the uncertain future of the captain-less team.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Soon enough, the hazardous conditions overwhelm the area and Kevin has to get creative with maps and his driving skills, plus embrace a daredevil spirit, for even a chance of making it out alive with his young charges.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The computer scientists used an AI program to generate DNA codes for more than 75,000 variants of hazardous proteins – and the firewalls used by DNA manufacturers weren't consistently able to catch them.
    Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on precarious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!