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
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
The Dolphins are in a precarious position with their defensive line; Zach Sieler is the only above-average player under contract.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Rodriguez wasn't the only G20 star to get into a precarious situation while making the movie.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
The Dolphins are in a precarious position with their defensive line; Zach Sieler is the only above-average player under contract.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Rodriguez wasn't the only G20 star to get into a precarious situation while making the movie.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 9 Apr. 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 most immediate context for this comment is presumably both the backlash to Hogwarts Legacy and the ongoing backlash over Rowling’s views writ large regarding trans women being dangerous predators.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
18 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
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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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And those tariffs will fuel another wave of scams and attacks, as businesses and shoppers in America and elsewhere react to the newly uncertain climate.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
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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Authorities raised the alert level, warning of the potential for further hazardous volcanic activity.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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