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 issue is precarious for these Republicans, especially Mr. Lawler, who represents parts of Rockland and Westchester Counties and is considering a run for governor next year. Benjamin Oreskes, New York Times, 15 May 2025 Our livelihoods, endangered by 2021 unemployment insurance reforms, would no longer be so precarious. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 9 May 2025 Steven Peters, a 42-year-old independent from White House, Tennessee, says for years he’s heard warnings about the program’s precarious finances. Amelia Thomson-Deveaux, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025 Nevertheless, living in such tight quarters with so many other people can create severe tensions, particularly when everyone’s financial condition is precarious. Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
  • Maddison is responsible for dropping deep and pinging passes into dangerous areas, while Kulusevski and Bergvall are excellent ball-carriers.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 12 May 2025
  • In the movie, Cruise’s Ethan Hunt must face his most dangerous enemy yet in the form of an AI known as the Entity.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • The pine trees are towering and the fairways are twisting and the bunkers are deep and treacherous.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2025
  • Maybe the seemingly long haul on I-95 made treacherous by traffic congestion creates the Miami-Dade County and Broward County division among its residents.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • However, with most flights now offering antibacterial wipes and long-haul routes undergoing more extensive cleaning, the routine is arguably not much riskier than applying makeup at home.
    Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
  • However, bringing a drug to market is not only very expensive with a very lengthy payoff period, the business is also very risky.
    John C. Goodman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • In the early, uncertain days of COVID-19, when people were told to stay home to save lives, Lightfoot chose compassion over citations.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
  • This phenomenon has been further propelled by ongoing inflation, high interest rates, and an uncertain economic outlook.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • The cities with some of the highest rates of poverty and the most people of color have borne the burden of the state’s hazardous waste facilities.
    Sarah McCoy, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025
  • The broad set-up doesn’t look close to hazardous, giddy excess yet.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on precarious

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