precarious

[pri-kair-ee-uhs] / prɪˈkɛər i əs /

ADJECTIVE

tricky, doubtful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

WEAK

ambiguous borderline chancy contingent dubious dynamite equivocal hairy hanging by a thread iffy impugnable indecisive loaded on thin ice open out on a limb rugged sensitive touch and go unsafe unsure

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain definite guarded happy healthy protected reliable safe secure settled stable steady strong sure

WEAK

firm undoubted

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Taylor Morrison is a safer bet in a precarious home-building market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Fraser’s explosive performance underlines the immensity of the stakes, balancing every precarious element of this enormous mission.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

We know the precarious nature of public service media companies whose traditional economic model relied on funding from advertising which has fallen dramatically in recent years.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Airlines are once again in a precarious position.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Then below me I see a precarious sight, and I know I must be nearing the bottom.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Vocabulary lists containing precarious

Grade 11, List 3

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A Doll's House

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John F. Kennedy's Address to the American People on the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

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