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.
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Recent Examples of precarious
Start in Jongno, Says This Seoul Local Writer and translator Anton Hur recounts the past—and precarious present—of his favorite gayborhood, Jongno.
—
Lara Kramer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 June 2026
Whether your 9-to-5 job involves a rare combination of manual record keeping and precarious wilderness travel, or your idea of outdoor recreation includes journaling your day while remaining at the ready for whatever nature hurls at you, the all-new Pen-metheus equips you for it all.
—
New Atlas,
22 June 2026
Told over the course of about two decades, Flournoy's novel captures the essence of the dizzying and sometimes precarious period of life that insists upon true, close friendships.
—
Janey Wetzel,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
All of it was a precarious dance.
—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Lara Kramer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 June 2026
Whether your 9-to-5 job involves a rare combination of manual record keeping and precarious wilderness travel, or your idea of outdoor recreation includes journaling your day while remaining at the ready for whatever nature hurls at you, the all-new Pen-metheus equips you for it all.
—
New Atlas,
22 June 2026
Told over the course of about two decades, Flournoy's novel captures the essence of the dizzying and sometimes precarious period of life that insists upon true, close friendships.
—
Janey Wetzel,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
All of it was a precarious dance.
—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
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Others develop dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms because the autonomic nervous system becomes affected.
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Sometimes, the streets appear glittering; other times, seedy and dangerous.
Adjective
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The terrain can be treacherous, but the guide offered patience and grace for our entire group, slowing down without comment when someone was straggling and prioritizing water breaks.
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Shinnecock’s fairways create optical illusions off the tee, the bunkering is treacherous and the greens are, in some places, designed to repel the ball from the putting surfaces.
Adjective
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It is meant to make a major war, especially a nuclear war, too risky for the enemy to start.
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Wall Street amplified the problem by bundling risky mortgages into securities that spread losses throughout the financial system.
Adjective
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For now, advocates say preparation and persistence are critical as the community faces an uncertain future.
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The bold story choice, which reunites the staff for what may be their final kitchen service as the restaurant faces an uncertain future, was met with enthusiasm from the cast.
Adjective
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Concrete casing and tubing – used to seal and extract oil – can lose integrity, causing leaks and potential hazardous gas releases.
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Concerns about hazardous chemicals led police to suggest residents evacuate, although many declined.
Cite this Entry
“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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