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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
But back-to-back losses to the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday and Monday proved how precarious the Bulls remain — even with significant improvement from Giddey, Coby White and rookie Matas Buzelis.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
However, the precariousness of their existence was clear.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Adjective
The show lost the power of the hypothetical and gained the precarious responsibility of the actual.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025
But back-to-back losses to the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday and Monday proved how precarious the Bulls remain — even with significant improvement from Giddey, Coby White and rookie Matas Buzelis.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
Because this clever, funny play is both an attentive ode to Greenspan’s extraordinary artistry as a playwright-performer and an unsparing meditation on the psychic and financial precariousness of playwriting as a creative life.
—Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
However, the precariousness of their existence was clear.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
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Prioritising one competition in favour of another is a dangerous game to play in any case when the stakes are so high.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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The company highlights one type of attack that is now targeting users and which is especially dangerous.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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If leadership lacks consistency, teams will follow that instability.—
Carlos Hoyos,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Rising political instability like ongoing tensions in the Middle East and Pacific Rim also typically fuel defense stocks.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
12 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
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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
-
Relying on one job is risky, so explore side gigs, driving for rideshare apps, tutoring online, or selling a skill on platforms like Upwork.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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To dig down into the data, though, some parts of your flight are riskier than others — read more here.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The more Macdonald resists mythologizing or summing up, the more John Lennon and Yoko Ono emerge as fragile, complex individuals on a journey together during uncertain times.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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The franc stood at $1.22, raising questions about the dollar's role as a traditional safe haven during uncertain times.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Specialized drivers transporting hazardous materials or oversized loads can earn $75,750–$118,600 per year, while owner-operators may make $85,000–$100,000, excluding maintenance expenses.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The plane was removed from the water by 10 a.m., per ABC 9. Crews are working to contain a hazardous materials incident related to the plane incident.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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