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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Recent Examples of precarious
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a precarious position this offseason.
—
Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 29 May 2025
At the very least, the Trump administration is making beekeepers’ jobs more complicated at a precarious moment.
—Joanna Thompson, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025
Given stagnant growth and precarious external demand, the government would be well advised to stimulate consumer spending and inspire greater confidence among consumers.
—Isabella M. Weber, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2025
Honeybee colonies in the U.S. have occupied a precarious position for nearly two decades.
—Joanna Thompson, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 29 May 2025
At the very least, the Trump administration is making beekeepers’ jobs more complicated at a precarious moment.
—Joanna Thompson, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025
Given stagnant growth and precarious external demand, the government would be well advised to stimulate consumer spending and inspire greater confidence among consumers.
—Isabella M. Weber, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2025
Honeybee colonies in the U.S. have occupied a precarious position for nearly two decades.
—Joanna Thompson, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
-
Even ejecting from the aircraft can be dangerous and traumatic.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
24 May 2025
-
Cruise’s wing-walking sequence was somehow even more dangerous.—
Tyler Foggatt,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Hickey made three trips back and forth in the treacherous water to save the boaters one by one.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
25 May 2025
-
Mastering wet roads: Safety tips for heavy rainfall When heavy rain pours, the risk of flooding and treacherous roads rises.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Not mentioned in the CIT decision—and likely riskier—is section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930.—
Jill Goldenziel,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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With the use of additional biomarkers and prostate MRI, the diagnosis of men with prostate cancer is more precise and avoids the detection of low-risk indolent prostate cancer and rather focuses on the early detection and effective treatment of more clinically risky prostate cancer.—
Franklin D Gaylis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Though Bonnie had experience with bottle babies, this kitten's fragile condition made survival uncertain.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
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His departure marks the second shortest time any actor has spent as the Doctor — logging in just one more season than Christopher Eccleston — and certainly leaves the future of the iconic British show uncertain.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Other parts of the southeastern US could see hazardous weather Friday afternoon and evening.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
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However, a small portion of them, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), do require close monitoring.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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