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 dependent on the will or pleasure of another; liable to be withdrawn or lost at the will of another.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 further described his unhappiness at the armed forces being "hollowed out", the "highly precarious" nature of the economy, and said public services were "at the brink of collapse", despite spending increases.

Read more on BBC

He recognized the show’s precarious position when Sinclair and Nexstar bailed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Young people these days are facing a precarious job market and dimming prospects of homeownership.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It is a very serious situation, a precarious situation,” said Naren Goenka, a member of the Apparel Export Promotion Council, an industry body.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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