Synonyms of precarious

precarious

adjective

as in dangerous

not safe, strong, or steady

He earned a precarious livelihood by gambling.

She was in a state of precarious health.

The government is in a precarious position.

The strong wind almost knocked him off of his precarious perch on the edge of the cliff.

Related Words

• dangerous
• treacherous
• risky
• uncertain
• hazardous
• serious
• perilous
• menacing
• unsafe
• threatening
• insecure
• ill
• dicey
• unhealthy
• parlous
• grave
• dire
• bad
• haphazard
• venturesome
• unpleasant
• distressing
• grievous
• random
• jeopardizing
• chance
• sickening
• detrimental
• ugly
• adverse
• ultrahazardous
• injurious
• fell
• harmful
• destructive
• pernicious
• deleterious
• wicked
• lethal
• malignant
• inimical
• fatal
• deadly
• noxious
• hurtful
• mortal
• baneful
• evil
• fateful
• murderous
• baleful
• killer
• deathly
• nasty
• pestilent

Dissimilar Words

• advantageous
• good
• beneficial
• safe
• innocuous
• harmless
• innocent
• nonhazardous
• nonthreatening
• ultrasafe
• unthreatening

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

Recent Examples of precarious

There are a lot of balls up in the air, with almost every character dealing with a precarious and delicate situation that could result in disaster. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

The Middle Eastern sovereign funds contributing more than half the deal’s equity sit in more precarious positions still, with war on their doorstep. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

If anything, the contrast highlights just how precarious Earth's orbital environment has become. — Alan Bradley, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Kauai’s economy grew more reliant on tourism, and work became more precarious. — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!