precarious

[pri-kair-ee-uhs]

adjective

1. dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain; insecure.

   a precarious livelihood.

   Synonyms: indeterminate, unsure
   Antonyms: secure

2. dependent on the will or pleasure of another; liable to be withdrawn or lost at the will of another.

   He held a precarious tenure under an arbitrary administration.

   Synonyms: undependable, unreliable, dubious, doubtful
   Antonyms: reliable

3. exposed to or involving danger; dangerous; perilous; risky.

   the precarious life of an underseas diver.

   Synonyms: hazardous
   Antonyms: safe

4. having insufficient, little, or no foundation.

   a precarious assumption.

   Synonyms: unfounded, baseless, groundless
   Antonyms: well-founded

precarious

/ prɪˈkɛərɪəs /

adjective

1. liable to failure or catastrophe; insecure; perilous

2. archaic,  dependent on another's will

Other Word Forms

• precariously adverb
• precariousness noun
• superprecarious adjective
• superprecariousness noun
• unprecarious adjective
• unprecariousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of precarious¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin precārius “obtained by entreaty; given as a favor; borrowed; uncertain”; prayer ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of precarious¹

C17: from Latin precārius obtained by begging (hence, dependent on another's will), from prex _prayer ¹

Synonym Study

See uncertain.

Example Sentences

He said the judgment to remove or leave a tree can be precarious.

From Los Angeles Times

It's a startling admission - a year after winning a record six Brit Awards in a single night, Raye still worries about the precarious nature of success.

From BBC

But in his first monologue back following the show’s six-day suspension, he at least proved he understands what needs to be said at this crucial, precarious moment in history.

From Salon

And it can be the difference between hope and dejection at what is a very precarious time for most families.

From Los Angeles Times

"The world is dividing into two camps, and South Korea is positioned right on the border," he said, noting his country's "truly precarious location" next to China and Russia.

From BBC

Related Words

• dangerous 
• delicate 
• dicey 
• hazardous 
• insecure 
• perilous 
• problematic 
• risky 
• rocky 
• shaky 
• slippery 
• ticklish 
• touchy 
• uncertain 
• unhealthy 
• unreliable 
• unsettled 
• unstable 
• unsteady