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Definitions

on thin ice

ADJECTIVE
crucial
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bottom-line central compelling deciding decisive essential imperative momentous necessary pivotal pressing touchy urgent vital
WEAK
acute clamorous climactic desperate dire hanging by thread high-priority insistent searching showdown touch and go
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inessential insignificant minor optional secondary trivial unimportant unnecessary voluntary
WEAK
uncritical
ADJECTIVE
doubtful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
debatable dicey dubious hazy indecisive insecure precarious problematic suspicious uncertain undecided uneasy unsettled unstable unsure
WEAK
ambiguous borderline chancy clouded contingent disreputable doubtable dubitable equivocal far-fetched fat chance fishy hazardous iffy impugnable inconclusive indefinite indeterminate indistinct long shot obscure open pending shady sneaky speculative suspect touch-and-go touchy unconfirmed up for grabs
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain clear decided definite determined indubious safe secure settled stable strong sure trustworthy trusty undoubted
WEAK
believing confirmed convinced exact resolved trusting unquestionable
ADJECTIVE
insecure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid anxious apprehensive hesitant shaky touchy troubled unsure uptight
WEAK
Delphic choked diffident hanging by thread jumpy questioning touch and go unassured unconfident unpoised up in the air vague
Antonyms
STRONGEST
at ease calm certain collected composed cool definite happy peaceful quiet sure unafraid unwavering unworried
WEAK
confident guarded protected safe secure sound
ADJECTIVE
perilous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
delicate dicey hazardous precarious risky rugged shaky threatening ticklish touchy treacherous uncertain unstable
WEAK
Russian roulette chancy dynamite exposed hairy insecure loaded playing with fire touch and go unhealthy unsafe unsound unsteady unsure vulnerable wicked
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm certain definite easy firm nice safe secure stable steady strong sure
WEAK
OK
ADJECTIVE
precarious
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dangerous delicate dicey hazardous insecure perilous problematic risky rocky shaky slippery ticklish touchy uncertain unhealthy unreliable unsettled unstable unsteady
WEAK
ambiguous borderline chancy contingent dubious dynamite equivocal hairy hanging by a thread iffy impugnable indecisive loaded open out on a limb rugged sensitive touch and go unsafe unsure
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain definite guarded happy healthy protected reliable safe secure settled stable steady strong sure
WEAK
firm undoubted
ADJECTIVE
risky
Synonyms
STRONGEST
delicate dicey hazardous perilous precarious sensitive speculative treacherous tricky uncertain unhealthy unsafe unsound
WEAK
chancy endangered fraught with danger going for broke hairy hanging by a thread iffy insecure jeopardous long shot not a prayer off the deep end on slippery ground on-the-spot out on a limb playing with fire rocky ticklish touch-and-go touchy venturesome wicked wide-open
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain definite harmless healthy honest insensitive protected safe secure stable strong sure well
WEAK
assured
ADJECTIVE
unapt
Synonyms
WEAK
ambiguous borderline chancy clouded contingent debatable dicey disreputable doubtable dubious dubitable equivocal far-fetched fat chance fishy hazardous hazy iffy improbable impugnable inconclusive indecisive indefinite indeterminate indistinct insecure long shot obscure open pending precarious problematic questionable shady sneaky speculative suspect suspicious touch-and-go touchy uncertain unconfirmed undecided uneasy unlikely unsettled unstable unsure up for grabs
ADJECTIVE
uncertain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ambiguous ambivalent dubious erratic hazy hesitant insecure precarious questionable risky unclear undecided undetermined unpredictable unreliable unresolved unsettled unsure vague
WEAK
chancy conjectural fitful hanging by a thread iffy incalculable inconstant indefinite indeterminate indistinct irregular irresolute speculative touch and go unconfirmed unfixed unforeseeable up for grabs up in the air vacillating variable wavering
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain clear decided definite determined predictable reliable resolved safe secure settled sure trustworthy unchanging undoubted
WEAK
foreseeable
ADJECTIVE
unsafe
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hazardous perilous risky treacherous uncertain unreliable unsound unstable untrustworthy
STRONG
insecure
WEAK
alarming chancy erratic explosive fearsome hanging by a thread on a limb precarious shaky slippery threatening ticklish touch and go touchy undependable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain honest reliable safe secure stable strong sure true trustworthy
WEAK
harmless protected

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had been on thin ice within the administration for some time.

From Slate • Mar. 7, 2026

If buying wipes out all savings, they’ll be skating on thin ice.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 15, 2025

Only six months ago, the pair was on thin ice after a series of underperforming films, including Bong Joon Ho’s sci-fi thriller “Mickey 17” and the Robert De Niro-led mob movie “The Alto Knights.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2025

"Manchester United will probably go above Spurs. A difficult moment for them and the manager is skating on thin ice."

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2025

I’ve come to enjoy the risk, the sensation of vertigo when I realize that I’ve shot right over the border of the socially acceptable, that I’m walking on thin ice, on empty air.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood