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单词 precarious
释义

Trends of
precarious

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precarious

(prɪkeəriəs)
1. adjective
If your situation is precarious, you are not in complete control of events and might fail in what you are doing at any moment.
Our financial situation had become precarious.
...the Government's precarious position.
Synonyms: insecure, dangerous, uncertain, tricky More Synonyms of precarious
precariously adverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective/adverb]
The hunter-gatherer lifestyle today survives precariously in remote regions.
precariousness uncountable noun
Wells was well aware of the precariousness of human life. [+ of]
2. adjective
Something that is precarious is not securely held in place and seems likely to fall or collapse at any moment.
They looked rather comical as they crawled up precarious ladders.
precariously adverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective/adverb]
One of my grocery bags was still precariously perched on the car bumper.
More Synonyms of precarious

precarious in British English

(prɪˈkɛərɪəs)
adjective
1. 
liable to failure or catastrophe; insecure; perilous
2.  archaic
dependent on another's will
Derived forms
precariously (preˈcariously)
adverb
precariousness (preˈcariousness)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin precārius obtained by begging (hence, dependent on another's will), from prex prayer1

precarious in American English

(prɪˈkɛriəs)
adjective
1. 
dependent upon the will or favor of another person
2. 
dependent upon circumstances; uncertain; insecure
a precarious living
3. 
dependent upon chance; risky
a precarious foothold
4. 
dependent upon mere assumption; unwarranted
a precarious assertion
Derived forms
precariously (preˈcariously)
adverb
precariousness (preˈcariousness)
noun
Word origin
L precarius: see prayer1

Examples of 'precarious' in a sentence
precarious

But life here is precarious and has been for as long as anyone can remember.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But quite a few clubs are in a precarious position.
The Sun (2016)
Unions have complained that some workers have been forced to become self-employed to accept precarious jobs on low pay.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Durham's recent experience has brought home the reality of the precarious situation around the first-class game.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Turkey is quite precarious anyway,' she says.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This precarious financial position is largely because footballers are the most successful workers in the land.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The neighbourhood is looking particularly precarious as summer approaches.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The problem with tall cranes is that in stormy weather they become precarious.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It was at this precarious moment that she entered our lives and garden.
Eddison, Sydney A Patchwork Garden: Unexpected Pleasures from a Country Garden (1990)
We are now in a very precarious position.
The Sun (2013)
What a precarious existence we have had as a nation!
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The situation is precarious but can be rescued.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Fast-forward to next winter and the situation looks precarious.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Many of these people are in a precarious position.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The play does its job of reminding us just how precarious our existence is.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
On the other hand the present situation is precarious.
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
And their future looks more precarious when the troops go home.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Its financial position has been precarious and the recent sale of land for house building was essential to survive.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They remind you that life is precarious and your world can turn upside down from one moment to the next.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The situation was becoming increasingly precarious.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It was a very precarious life.
Max Arthur Lost Voices of the Edwardians: 19011910 in the words of the Men & Women Who WereThere (2006)
The minister is usually in a precarious financial situation; funds are low and the future uncharted.
Christianity Today (2000)
It becomes slightly more precarious, as if you were trying to do a movie.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Some of these projects were killed by a company's precarious financial standing or poor prevailing economic conditions.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is because Russia's economy is increasingly precarious.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But to the population in these areas it will feel increasingly precarious,' she said.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)

In other languages
precarious

British English: precarious ADJECTIVE
If your situation is precarious, you are not in complete control of events and might fail in what you are doing at any moment.
Our financial situation had become precarious.
  • American English: precarious
  • Brazilian Portuguese: precário
  • Chinese: 不安定的
  • European Spanish: precario
  • French: précaire
  • German: prekär
  • Italian: precario
  • Japanese: 不安定な
  • Korean: 위태로운
  • European Portuguese: precário
  • Latin American Spanish: precario

Chinese translation of 'precarious'

precarious

(prɪˈkɛərɪəs)

adj

  1. (= dangerous) 危险(險)的 (wēixiǎn de)
  2. (fig) [position, situation, job] 不确(確)定的 (bù quèdìng de)
1 (adjective) 
Definition
(of a position or situation) dangerous or insecure
Our financial situation had become precarious.
Synonyms
insecure
huge allowances paid to staff working in insecure environments
dangerous
a dangerous undertaking
uncertain
Students all over the country are facing an uncertain future.
tricky
This could be a very tricky problem.
risky
It is a very risky business.
doubtful
Why did he sound so doubtful?
dubious
My parents were a bit dubious about it all.
unsettled
The unsettled political scene worries some investors.
dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal)
Predicting voting trends is a dodgy business.
unstable
unsure
Fifty-two per cent were unsure about the idea.
hazardous
Below decks was hazardous in very heavy weather.
shaky
hairy (slang)
His driving was a bit hairy.
perilous
a perilous journey across the war-zone
touch and go
It was touch and go whether we'd go bankrupt.
dicey (informal, mainly British)
a dicey moment during a risky climb up the cliff
chancy (informal)
Investment is becoming a chancy business.
built on sand
shonky (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
Opposites
certain
,
safe
,
secure
,
stable
,
dependable
2 (adjective) 
Definition
(of a position or situation) dangerous or insecure
They crawled up a precarious rope ladder.
Synonyms
dangerous
unstable
He was emotionally unstable.
shaky
Our house will remain on shaky foundations unless the architect sorts out the basement.
slippery
insecure
low-paid, insecure jobs
unsafe
Critics claim the trucks are unsafe.
unreliable
She had proved to be an unreliable witness and had lied to police.
unsteady
a slightly unsteady item of furniture
Opposites
secure
,
stable
,
steady
,
reliable
Seerisky

Nearby words of
precarious

  • preachy
  • preamble
  • prearranged
  • precarious
  • precaution
  • precautionary
  • precede

Synonyms of 'precarious'

precarious

Explore 'precarious' in the dictionary

Additional synonyms

in the sense of doubtful
Definition
unsure or uncertain
Why did he sound so doubtful?
Synonyms
unsure,
uncertain,
hesitant,
suspicious,
hesitating,
sceptical,
unsettled,
tentative,
wavering,
unresolved,
perplexed,
undecided,
unconvinced,
vacillating,
leery (slang),
distrustful,
in two minds (informal),
irresolute
in the sense of dubious
Definition
unsure or undecided
My parents were a bit dubious about it all.
Synonyms
unsure,
uncertain,
suspicious,
hesitating,
doubtful,
sceptical,
tentative,
wavering,
hesitant,
undecided,
unconvinced,
iffy (informal),
leery (slang),
distrustful,
in two minds (informal)
in the sense of hairy
Definition
dangerous, exciting, and difficult
His driving was a bit hairy.
Synonyms
dangerous,
scary (informal),
risky,
unpredictable,
hazardous,
perilous
in the sense of hazardous
Definition
involving great risk
Below decks was hazardous in very heavy weather.
Synonyms
dangerous,
risky,
difficult,
uncertain,
unpredictable,
insecure,
hairy (slang),
unsafe,
precarious,
perilous,
parlous (archaic, humorous),
dicey (informal, British),
fraught with danger,
chancy (informal)
in the sense of perilous
a perilous journey across the war-zone
Synonyms
dangerous,
threatening,
exposed,
vulnerable,
risky,
unsure,
hazardous,
hairy (slang),
unsafe,
precarious,
parlous (archaic),
fraught with danger,
chancy (informal)
in the sense of risky
It is a very risky business.
Synonyms
dangerous,
hazardous,
unsafe,
perilous,
uncertain,
tricky,
dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal),
precarious,
touch-and-go,
dicey (informal, British),
fraught with danger,
chancy (informal),
shonky (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of shaky
Definition
weak and unsteady, esp. due to illness or shock
Our house will remain on shaky foundations unless the architect sorts out the basement.
Synonyms
unstable,
weak,
precarious,
tottering,
ramshackle,
dilapidated,
rickety,
unsteady,
wonky (British, informal)
in the sense of touch and go
Definition
risky or critical
It was touch and go whether we'd go bankrupt.
Synonyms
risky,
close,
near,
dangerous,
critical,
tricky,
sticky (informal),
hazardous,
hairy (slang),
precarious,
perilous,
nerve-racking,
parlous (archaic, humorous)
in the sense of tricky
Definition
needing careful handling
This could be a very tricky problem.
Synonyms
difficult,
sensitive,
complicated,
delicate,
risky,
sticky (informal),
hairy (informal),
problematic,
thorny,
touch-and-go,
knotty,
dicey (informal),
ticklish
in the sense of uncertain
Definition
not to be depended upon
Students all over the country are facing an uncertain future.
Synonyms
doubtful,
undetermined,
unpredictable,
insecure,
questionable,
ambiguous,
unreliable,
precarious,
indefinite,
indeterminate,
incalculable,
iffy (informal),
changeable,
indistinct,
chancy (informal),
unforeseeable,
unsettled,
unresolved,
in the balance,
unconfirmed,
up in the air,
unfixed,
conjectural,
sketchy (informal)

Additional synonyms

in the sense of unreliable
Definition
not able to be trusted or relied on
She had proved to be an unreliable witness and had lied to police.
Synonyms
undependable,
irresponsible,
untrustworthy,
unstable,
treacherous,
disreputable,
not conscientious
in the sense of unsafe
Definition
dangerous
Critics claim the trucks are unsafe.
Synonyms
dangerous,
risky,
hazardous,
threatening,
uncertain,
unstable,
insecure,
unreliable,
precarious,
treacherous,
perilous,
unsound
in the sense of unsettled
Definition
lacking order or stability
The unsettled political scene worries some investors.
Synonyms
unstable,
shaky,
insecure,
disorderly,
unsteady
in the sense of unstable
Definition
(of a person) having abrupt changes of mood or behaviour
He was emotionally unstable.
Synonyms
unpredictable,
irrational,
erratic,
inconsistent,
unreliable,
temperamental,
capricious,
changeable,
untrustworthy,
vacillating
in the sense of unsteady
Definition
not securely fixed
a slightly unsteady item of furniture
Synonyms
unstable,
shaky,
insecure,
unsafe,
precarious,
treacherous,
rickety,
infirm
in the sense of unsure
Definition
uncertain or undecided
Fifty-two per cent were unsure about the idea.
Synonyms
doubtful,
sceptical,
dubious,
suspicious,
hesitant,
undecided,
unconvinced,
distrustful,
in a quandary,
mistrustful,
irresolute
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更新时间：2025/2/11 10:26:59