Precarious
[prɪ'keərɪəs] or [prɪ'kɛrərɪəs]
Definition
(adj.) affording no ease or reassurance; 'a precarious truce' .
(adj.) not secure; beset with difficulties; 'a shaky marriage' .
Inputed by Donald--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of another; as, precarious privileges.
(a.) Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious state of health; precarious fortunes.
Checked by Danny
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Uncertain, unsettled, unsteady, doubtful, dubious, equivocal, insecure, not to be depended upon.
Typed by Lloyd
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Hazardous, peril, ous, uncertain, riskful, unassured, insecure, dubious,doubtful
ANT:Assured, certain, systematic, safe, immutable
Checked by Ellen
Definition
adj. uncertain because depending upon the will of another: held by a doubtful tenure: depending on chance: dangerous risky.—adv. Precā′riously.—n. Precā′riousness.
Checker: Williams
Examples
- We passed about a week together, during which time I was continually talking of poor Meyler and lamenting his precarious state of health. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- The possession, even of such farmers, however, was long extremely precarious, and still is so in many parts of Europe. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Now that Sheridan was safe and Hampton free to return to Richmond with his cavalry, Wilson's position became precarious. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The crop, too, at least in the hop and fruit garden, is more precarious. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- One's safest course that day was to clasp a railing and hang on; walking was too precarious a pastime. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Getty was somewhat isolated from Warren and was in a precarious condition for a time. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The independence of Judea was always a qualified and precarious thing. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The precarious subsistence which the chace affords, could seldom allow a greater number to keep together for any considerable time. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Wherever he went he made friends, and their influence was constantly helping him forward on what must have been a somewhat precarious career. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- It is interesting to know something of the precarious entry of this machine and something of the dark background from which it emerged. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Matters seemed tending worse and worse with him, and the situation of the Howe family in London, almost penniless, grew daily more and more precarious. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- As the time so passed, this slinking business became a more and more precarious one. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
Checker: Williams