PRECARIOUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

precarious

adjective

Definition of precarious next

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Examples 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 In Venice—a city caught in a profound and precarious relationship with water—my ongoing fascination with this element will take on new dimensions. —

News Desk, Artforum, 13 Jan. 2025 Olson noted that mobile homes can be a precarious form of housing. —

Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 12 Jan. 2025 Beyond those under mandatory evacuation, many more, including many families and anxious pet owners, have left because of poor air quality or general wariness of the county’s precarious state. —

Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 What transpires is likely a heart-wrenching, multi-branching story of precarious life in the capitalist ruins of outer space, told with the kind of literary flair that Damian Martin has made their calling card in recent years. —

Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for precarious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious

Adjective

Inappropriate links in search results get a red highlight and icon, just like dangerous links.

— PCMAG, PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025
The lack of rain came as seven separate Santa Ana wind events hit Southern California in January alone, Tardy said, a dangerous combination in creating fire weather conditions as the air and vegetation dry out, making brush especially flammable.

— Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025