precariousness
noun
pre·car·i·ous·ness
pri-ˈker-ē-əs-nəs 
: the state or condition of being precarious
The noise, the dashing of the waters, … the precariousness of their footing, for there was scarce room for them to stand on the shelf of rock which they had thus attained …—
Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott… at a time when a single night of predation could ruin a family, wolves were a constant reminder of the precariousness of frontier life.—Betsy Carpenter and Lisa Busch
Betsy Carpenter and Lisa Busch… has to keep up an air of high spirits through a daily struggle with his own illiteracy and the precariousness of his employment.—George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard ShawHis knowledge is fragmentary, his righteousness is illusory, his motives are tainted, but, aware of the precariousness of human striving, he must strive nevertheless.—Arthur Meier Schlesinger
Arthur Meier SchlesingerExamples of precariousness in a Sentence
she quickly moved the china teapot after noticing its precariousness on the shelf
Recent Examples on the Web
Shifting comments from the Republican president and his top aides are adding to the precariousness of the 12-day-old conflict, which is impacting nearly every corner of the Middle East and causing economic tremors around the globe.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
William Grimes wrote before that moment, introducing a distinctly American voice shaped by the horrors of enslavement in the South and the precariousness of freedom in the North.
—Regina E. Mason, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
The exhibition reflects on precariousness and interconnectedness in today’s world.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026
Aside from the frustration that Matheson felt about the earlier diagnosis, the surgeon’s words served as a reminder about the precariousness of professional football.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precariousness
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
William Grimes wrote before that moment, introducing a distinctly American voice shaped by the horrors of enslavement in the South and the precariousness of freedom in the North.
—Regina E. Mason, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
The exhibition reflects on precariousness and interconnectedness in today’s world.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026
Aside from the frustration that Matheson felt about the earlier diagnosis, the surgeon’s words served as a reminder about the precariousness of professional football.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precariousness
Cite this Entry
“Precariousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precariousness. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
