as in instability
the quality or state of not being firmly fixed in position
she quickly moved the china teapot after noticing its precariousness on the shelf
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Recent Examples of precariousness
Trump’s emergency order, along with subsequent federal deployments that have continued in some form even after the formal emergency expired, highlighted the precariousness of local control.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Swift has described the song as a meditation on fame, scrutiny and the precariousness of love, themes she's often navigated in her own career.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Nov. 2025
Adding to the precariousness of her situation, she's had to drive two hours at least once a week to see a specialist in Jackson.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Filling the gaps Reputable organizations are working to fill the void created by the CDC’s precariousness and the fact that recommendations are now being made based on political will, rather than scientific evidence.
—Jordan Miller, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precariousness
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Swift has described the song as a meditation on fame, scrutiny and the precariousness of love, themes she's often navigated in her own career.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Nov. 2025
Adding to the precariousness of her situation, she's had to drive two hours at least once a week to see a specialist in Jackson.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Filling the gaps Reputable organizations are working to fill the void created by the CDC’s precariousness and the fact that recommendations are now being made based on political will, rather than scientific evidence.
—Jordan Miller, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precariousness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precariousness
instability
Noun
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By identifying patterns that precede instability, operators could intervene before plasma confinement collapses.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
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Thursday appears to be drier, but with some atmospheric instability and above-normal temperatures, isolated thunderstorms will be possible in the late afternoon.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precariousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precariousness. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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