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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precarious
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Rockslides and mudslides occur fairly regularly in Big Sur, where the Santa Lucia mountain range rises steeply from the Pacific Ocean, and a precarious state highway known as one of America’s most breathtaking drives has provided access since the 1930s.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 11 June 2025
That these are happening at a moment of precariousness for the industry writ large makes the stakes that much higher.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Adjective
His departure comes at a precarious moment for NPR and journalism writ large.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Rockslides and mudslides occur fairly regularly in Big Sur, where the Santa Lucia mountain range rises steeply from the Pacific Ocean, and a precarious state highway known as one of America’s most breathtaking drives has provided access since the 1930s.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
Housing costs, especially for renters, have pushed Florida families into financial precariousness more than any other household expense, said United Way of Florida CEO Melissa Nelson.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 11 June 2025
That these are happening at a moment of precariousness for the industry writ large makes the stakes that much higher.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
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This neurological response evolved to keep our ancestors alive in genuinely dangerous situations.—
Anne-Laure Le Cunff,
Big Think,
29 Sep. 2025
-
In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
An unseasonably strong low-pressure system that lingered off the Southern California coast all week is now sliding inland, funneling moisture and atmospheric instability across Arizona.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Neglecting them can set you up for instability, pain and even injury.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Under an imperial decree, her captors become unlikely allies, guiding Jewish refugees through ambushes, shifting alliances and treacherous waters, while Sara confronts leadership, loyalty and love at a high cost.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
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In the cataclysmic civil war at Kuru-kshetra, both the divine Pandava brothers and their treacherous cousins, the Kauravas, end up breaking the rules of war to achieve victory at any cost.—
Seamus Sullivan
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Traveling with expensive jewelry is risky for several reasons.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Sep. 2025
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Sky-high valuations and potentially risky circular relationships in the industry have also raised flags for investors.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With Madubuike -- whose status for the rest of the year is uncertain -- once again out today, and fellow defensive starters Jones and Van Noy possibly unavailable, the Ravens are going to need big-time efforts from LB Roquan Smith and the rest of the front seven.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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National parks appear to have weathed summer crowds despite staffing cuts, but fall remains uncertain.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For a while, walking the dog felt hazardous.—
Paula Span,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The surf will create hazardous rip currents.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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