precarious
[pri-kair-ee-uhs]
adjective
dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain; unstable; insecure: a precarious livelihood.
dependent on the will or pleasure of another; liable to be withdrawn or lost at the will of another: He held a precarious tenure under an arbitrary administration.
exposed to or involving danger; dangerous; perilous; risky: the precarious life of an underseas diver.
having insufficient, little, or no foundation: a precarious assumption.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
severely, sorely, badly, very, intensely, acutely, grievously, desperately, seriously, recklessly, critically, perilously, alarmingly, gravely, decidedly, quite, deplorably, distressingly, menacingly, regrettably
Origin of precarious
First recorded in 1640–50, precarious is from the Latin word precārius “obtained by entreaty or mere favor” (hence uncertain). See prayer1
Synonyms for precarious
1. unsure, unsteady. 2. doubtful, dubious, unreliable, undependable. 3. hazardous. 4. groundless, baseless, unfounded.
Synonym study
1. See uncertain.
Antonyms for precarious
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for precariously
Contemporary Examples of precariously
On the right side of the fall line, but precariously close to the precipice.
Two Chickens, an Old Guitar, and a Group of Strangers: A Life-Changing Feast in BrazilAnnabel Langbein
November 29, 2013
Those women who are not alone are often only precariously coupled.
They're high, but not precariously so, and are being shown with thin black socks.
Historical Examples of precariously
Vine vigorous, precariously hardy, lacking in productiveness.
Manual of American Grape-GrowingU. P. Hedrick
It seemed to him he remained there precariously alone with the stanchion for a long, long time.
TyphoonJoseph Conrad
He labours to bear in mind, how undeservedly they are often bestowed, how precariously they are always possessed.
He was the son of Amoz, who has been (much too precariously) identified with a brother of Amaziah.
The Expositor's BibleF. W. Farrar
It then appeared how precariously it had stood for many years.
The Book of CuriositiesI. Platts
precarious
adjective
Word Origin for precarious
C17: from Latin precārius obtained by begging (hence, dependent on another's will), from prex prayer 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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precarious
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper