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 There was a precarious situation involving massive logs that trapped a firefighter, with Gabriela risking her life to save him on her last day. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025 Week 7 gives us another chance to form impassioned opinions on precarious outcomes. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Due to the Jenga-like tower of precarious issues, the act of parenting becomes more arduous and challenging for Linda — a chore even. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025 Ultimately however, while Democrats may be in a slightly more precarious position, until the government reopens – and throughout the course of the current shutdown – both parties have work to do. Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
  • Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli is charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm while traveling on an aircraft, according to a news release from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
    Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
  • This connection would become increasingly important over the twentieth century, as the rapid development of technological infrastructure created ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous sensitivities to geomagnetic storms.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Prince Harry and members of the House of Saud have opted to circumvent the potentially treacherous waters of the Southern Ocean, altogether.
    Brad Japhe, HollywoodReporter, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In addition to some light-hearted banter between Thia and Dek, the trailer gives viewers a look at the treacherous journey ahead of them.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Moving fast without solid data can be just as risky as moving too slowly, Gallucci said.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Yet, an annual ranking of global markets still ranks Miami as the riskiest in the world.
    Tom Hudson, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Akheem Mesidor’s status uncertain Those wanting to know more about Hurricanes edge rusher Akheem Mesidor’s status for Saturday’s game against Stanford will have to wait a little bit longer.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Major deals now feature 20-30 year funding horizons—extraordinary bets on technologies whose commercial viability five years from now remains uncertain.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Heavy snow and strong winds could impact major routes, isolate higher-elevation communities, and create hazardous conditions for early-season recreation.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Use your low beam headlights, slow down, and be prepared for periods of hazardous driving conditions.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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