precariously

adverb

pre·​car·​i·​ous·​ly pri-ˈker-ē-əs-lē How to pronounce precariously (audio)
: in a precarious manner
These birds suspend their nests precariously among fine twigs …Michael Hansell
… the privilege of a tiny, precariously poised minority.Derek Bickerton
Waiters in white shirts and black vests roamed, trays balanced precariously but with utmost precision.Noah Charney
… it's now balancing precariously on the brink of extinction and has become the first-ever bumblebee to be declared endangered in the US.Laura Dennison

Examples of precariously in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Already situated precariously at the edge of habitable ranges for many animals and trees, these mountains are like points in a dot-to-dot drawing of the Southwest’s ecology. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024 Hospitality is innately altruistic, and the neighborhood restaurant is especially, preciously, precariously so. Heather Sperling, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024 His book is suspended precariously between apology and celebration. Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024 Musk took the opportunity to encourage everyone listening to have at least three children, given that humanity rests precariously on thin ice in the broader scheme of the universe. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 7 May 2024 In their place are generic invocations of 21st century feminist and racial-justice fights, plus the occasional dig at the real estate tycoon who became our 45th President, tied precariously together with thin strands of plot that strain believability. Judy Berman, TIME, 2 May 2024 The Lakers now enter their final two games precariously balancing above disaster, needing to win on the road at Memphis and New Orleans while hoping for help to avoid ending as the 10th playoff seed. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024 A bit of water that was sloshing precariously in Mr. Roscian’s glass spilled out. Aurelien Breeden, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024 On Friday, April 19, Case, hunched into a sphere, balanced a steel ball bearing precariously on a toylike scoop. Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'precariously.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of precariously was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near precariously

Cite this Entry

“Precariously.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precariously. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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