precariousness

Definition of precariousnessnext
as in instability
the quality or state of not being firmly fixed in position she quickly moved the china teapot after noticing its precariousness on the shelf

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of precariousness 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 There, many of Cale’s pet fascinations, like the precariousness of memory and the lacuna between yourself and other people, opened themselves up with a lovely quietness. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for precariousness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precariousness
instability
Noun
  • Over the past several years, firms have faced a rapid succession of shocks, from inflation and rising interest rates to recurring fears of recession and geopolitical instability.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Returning to Haiti and Syria is out of the question for many people because those countries remain wracked with violence and instability, said Sejal Zota, co-founder and legal director of Just Futures Law.
    Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Precariousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precariousness. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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