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
The city’s financial situation remains precarious, its crime problems still felt acutely, and its public schools are still struggling to produce acceptable student outcomes.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Meanwhile, many of Montana’s landowners consider the entire discussion flawed, because corner-crossers could upset a precarious balance between agricultural producers and sportsmen.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
But while the budget is technically balanced, its foundation is precarious.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Updates to Cap-and-Invest come at a precarious time for consumers.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for precarious
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026
Meanwhile, many of Montana’s landowners consider the entire discussion flawed, because corner-crossers could upset a precarious balance between agricultural producers and sportsmen.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
But while the budget is technically balanced, its foundation is precarious.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Updates to Cap-and-Invest come at a precarious time for consumers.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
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Yet oil futures have not skyrocketed to the dangerous levels forecasters feared — at least not yet.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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Financial watchdogs view telecoms acting as dangerous regulatory arbitrage, fearing that seamless digital wallets are a backdoor for capital flight.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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This has significantly weakened the Indian rupee against the dollar at a time when global oil prices are rising, creating a treacherous situation for India, which imports more 85% of its crude requirements.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
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Dunn and the clinic’s vaccinator, Moses Yambie, then took a motorbike 30 miles across a treacherous route at night to transport the infant to the nearby hospital.—
Imani Cruzen,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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In early April, the US military had to launch a risky operation to rescue one of the pilots of a F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down inside Iran.—
Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
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But that would be risky because a new deal could clog Miami’s cap, eliminating potential max salary cap space next summer unless Miami can find a taker for Jovic’s extension.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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Between Richards’ health, Ream’s age and the uncertain roles of McKenzie and Robinson, center back is the USMNT’s most fluid position.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
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The fate of roughly $2 billion annually that was intended to help reduce wildfire risk, promote clean water and build affordable housing, along with other efforts across California, is uncertain as the Legislature races to pass a state budget by Monday.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
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Tests revealed the water is contaminated with nitrate, which can come from fertilizer, animal manure or human sewage, and 1,2,3-trichloropropane, a hazardous chemical that was widely used in pesticides years ago.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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