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
Firings of key bird flu response personnel leave the response to the disease in a precarious state.
—
Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Americans will increasingly have to move from their homes to avoid the climate crisis, whether that be sea-level rise, flooding, fires, hurricanes or droughts, and many Americans don't have the resources to just pack up and move, making the displacement all the more precarious.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
Related: As the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is under threat of collapse, the fate of Israeli hostages in Gaza who were to be released has become ever more precarious.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Life took a precarious turn, however, in early 1941.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
Americans will increasingly have to move from their homes to avoid the climate crisis, whether that be sea-level rise, flooding, fires, hurricanes or droughts, and many Americans don't have the resources to just pack up and move, making the displacement all the more precarious.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
Related: As the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is under threat of collapse, the fate of Israeli hostages in Gaza who were to be released has become ever more precarious.
—Natasha Frost, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
Life took a precarious turn, however, in early 1941.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precarious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precarious
Adjective
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The 400-mile race is scheduled to start on Sunday after it was delayed by more than a month due to warm temperatures and a dangerous trail.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2025
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Freezing temperatures can endanger health, particularly of vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, whilst snow can lead to dangerous driving conditions.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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School districts opted to cancel class or switch to virtual learning throughout the eastern U.S. and as far west as Oklahoma, citing dangerously low temperatures and treacherous travel conditions.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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As President Donald Trump pushes to regain control of the waterway, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino offered his country as a transit hub for U.S. deportees, aiming to curb migration through the treacherous Darién Gap.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Global histories, by dint of their ambition, can be risky.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Early on, adoption can be risky, but everyone is talking about the technology.—
Chantelle Lee,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Alexander’s future Cornerback Jaire Alexander’s future in Green Bay remains uncertain.—
Matt Schneidman,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
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While international military and financial support have bolstered Ukraine’s resilience, the country confronts an uncertain future as peace talks, initiated by the Trump administration with the Kremlin, unfold against the backdrop of staggering human and economic losses.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Even as the cause of Mr. Grant’s death remains unknown, advocates of prison safety say that the strikes are creating hazardous conditions for inmates and warn that more deaths may occur if the labor dispute is not quickly resolved.—
Jay Root,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
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North Carolina is also experiencing hazardous winter conditions, with an advisory in effect until 10 a.m. EST Friday for areas including Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, and surrounding counties.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to precarious
Cite this Entry
“Precarious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precarious. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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