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 But leadership experts say that his behavior and choices are also lessons for other CEOs navigating precarious times. Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 16 July 2025 The Miami Dolphins are in a bit of a precarious spot. Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025 LeAnn Rimes dove deep into some nitty-gritty topics in her Flow Space cover story published Monday (July 7), from the precarious beginnings of her relationship with husband Eddie Cibrian to the dental issues that led to her teeth falling out mid-concert in a viral moment last month. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 July 2025 Investors seem to be factoring in the best-case scenarios – a precarious position for a company with a limited recent operational track record and significant downside risks. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
  • Here's what each means, according to the NWS: Heat advisory: A heat advisory is the lowest level and is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach the criteria for a more serious alert.
    Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 24 July 2025
  • More dangerous heat waves The Great Lakes region warmed substantially faster in the six years since the last assessment than it did in decades prior, the report shows.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to some light-hearted banter between Thia and Dek, the trailer also gives viewers a look at the treacherous journey ahead of them.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 23 July 2025
  • Airplanes can be treacherous for people who use wheelchairs.
    Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) highlights how sleep deficiency, on the other hand, impairs these abilities and is linked to emotional issues, depression, and risky behaviors—especially in children and teens.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
  • But through the sheer power of mixing genes into new combinations, the risky gamble of interspecies pairings has also sometimes majorly paid off.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Alexander Isak is training individually at former club Real Sociedad with his future at Newcastle United uncertain.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • The shift is rapid, relentless, and, for millions of Americans, deeply uncertain.
    John Hope Bryant, Time, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Despite receiving safety stamps of approval, the process for building the Las Vegas tunnels came under fire for worker safety violations and concerns, with the project being cited for numerous violations that included injuries and exposure to hazardous materials.
    Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
  • Grants will be given to projects that remove or reduce hazardous wood materials National Forest System Lands.
    Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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