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 post marked Vance’s most extensive comments at a precarious moment in the conflict in the Middle East. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 17 June 2025 The new artistic director begins his role in the midst of a precarious state of the arts both in support from the state of Florida and in the federal government. Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 16 June 2025 And with every executive order and every Congressional decision, health care leaders' own moves get more precarious. Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 But the event comes at a highly precarious time, amid nationwide protests which started in Los Angeles when people rallied against raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Callum Sutherland, Time, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
  • After landing, the most dangerous times, statistically speaking, are takeoff, approach, and initial climb.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
  • And the Santa Barbara temblor revealed just how dangerous brick buildings built in that era could be.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • The storm could bring hazardous travel, power outages, and treacherous trail conditions during a time of year typically dominated by warmer weather and early summer tourism.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • Having heard rumors of a mythical doctor (played with a chilling calm by Ralph Fiennes) who could possibly help, Spike sneaks off with her for a treacherous expedition to the mainland.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Howe may have a change of approach in mind, but such a hefty outlay on a player who doesn’t solve an obvious tactical conundrum is risky at the very least.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • After multiple years of development invested in most of Booth’s draftees, that type of deal would also be risky in its own right.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • To be sure, the uncertain economy could weigh on consumer spending in the near term, impacting online purchases.
    Paulina Likos, CNBC, 25 June 2025
  • Iran’s brief but brutal war with Israel has left its theocratic regime facing an uncertain future.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • Many analysts believe that robots like the K2 are likely to complement human workers by taking over monotonous or hazardous duties, which allows people to focus on more complex, creative, or supervisory tasks.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025
  • In addition, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration offers a heat safety tool app that warns if conditions are becoming hazardous.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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