precarious en
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/prɪˈkeəriəs/
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Unsafe because support is weak or uncertain, whether a ledge may collapse, a livelihood may fail, an argument rests on thin evidence, or an old legal right depends on another's will.
Examples A vase sat on the precarious stack of books.
The ceasefire remained precarious through the winter.
He returned to work while his health was still precarious .
The charter left the town in a precarious legal position.
The precarious ladder shook under his weight.
Similar words dependent
unsound
dubious
rickety
unfounded
uncertain
unstable
unsafe
insecure
uncertain
Meanings Examples The precarious ladder shook under his weight.
She balanced on a precarious ledge above the river.
A vase sat on the precarious stack of books.
The old balcony looked too precarious to trust.
One wheel rested at a precarious angle.
The climber searched for a less precarious foothold.
Similar words unstable
shaky
rickety
wobbly
insecure
unsafe
Examples Their precarious finances made every bill stressful.
He returned to work while his health was still precarious .
The ceasefire remained precarious through the winter.
Many workers face precarious employment with no benefits.
The company survived in a precarious market position.
A drought left the village in a precarious situation.
Similar words insecure
uncertain
unstable
risky
fragile vulnerable
Examples The theory rests on a precarious assumption.
Her argument became precarious once the data changed.
The report drew a precarious conclusion from one interview.
Their legal case had a precarious evidential base.
The prediction looks precarious without better figures.
He built a precarious generalization from a tiny sample.
Similar words dubious
weak
unsound
unfounded
questionable
unsupported
Examples The officer's precarious authority depended on royal favor.
The tenant held a precarious right to the land.
Such precarious possession could be withdrawn at will.
The charter left the town in a precarious legal position.
A favor-based grant was precarious by nature.
The old statute described a precarious tenure.
Etymology From Latin precarius , meaning obtained by entreaty or dependent on another's favor, from prex , meaning prayer or request.
FAQ What does precarious mean?
Precarious means unsafe or uncertain because support is weak, unstable, or dependent on chance or another person's will.
Can precarious describe money or work?
Yes. Precarious finances or employment are insecure and could fail or worsen.
Is precarious the same as risky ?
Not exactly. Risky means involving danger, while precarious adds the idea of weak support or uncertainty.
What is a precarious position?
It can be a physically unstable place, an insecure life situation, or a status that depends on fragile support.
What is the origin of precarious ?
It comes from Latin precarius , meaning obtained by entreaty or dependent on favor.
What are synonyms of precarious ?
Common synonyms include unstable , insecure , shaky , uncertain , dubious , and risky .
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