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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precarious
Farmers face rising costs, climate change and trade policies that put them in precarious financial positions.
—
Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Two of the deaths are sure to elicit cheers from the audience, while two others will bring about tears; and another two are also tragic, and put another Dutton in her most precarious position yet.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2025
As the Nuggets maintain a precarious hold on the third seed in the Western Conference, each potential first-round playoff matchup presents its own personnel that could give an inconsistent Denver defense fits.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025
Her finances could get more precarious with upheaval to the country’s Social Security system.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Two of the deaths are sure to elicit cheers from the audience, while two others will bring about tears; and another two are also tragic, and put another Dutton in her most precarious position yet.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2025
As the Nuggets maintain a precarious hold on the third seed in the Western Conference, each potential first-round playoff matchup presents its own personnel that could give an inconsistent Denver defense fits.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025
Her finances could get more precarious with upheaval to the country’s Social Security system.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
-
That means the garden isn't dangerous for Cummings' elderly father, who is allergic to bees.—
Martha Ann Overland,
NPR,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Many of the surf zone fatalities occur when distant hurricanes send swells to shore that create dangerous conditions at the coast, such as strong surf and rip currents, the hurricane center stated.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Their stories are full of danger: treacherous rivers, unforgiving terrain, and the constant threat of violence and exploitation.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
-
But in between lies a tense and treacherous journey…In Wolof and French with English subtitles.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Approaching the station was deemed too risky for Wilmore and Williams, aboard Starliner, as well as for the astronauts on the $100 billion space station.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Disclosing the full identity of someone fleeing persecution is inherently risky.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Aside from the retroactive tariffs expected to be announced this afternoon by the White House, not only is the imposition of secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian highly uncertain, but their possible nature remains inscrutable.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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And the partnership comes as TikTok’s future in the U.S. is uncertain.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This may result in slick and hazardous driving conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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However, a small portion of them, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), do require closer observation.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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