precariousness

[ pri-kair-ee-uhs ]

nouninstability

Antonyms for precariousness

Word Origin & History

1640s, a legal word, "held through the favor of another," from Latin precarius "obtained by asking or praying," from prex (genitive precis) "entreaty, prayer" (see pray). Notion of "dependent on the will of another" led to extended sense "risky, dangerous, uncertain" (1680s). "No word is more unskillfully used than this with its derivatives. It is used for uncertain in all its senses; but it only means uncertain, as dependent on others ..." [Johnson]. Related: Precariously; precariousness.

Example Sentences forprecariousness

A flash of lightning revealed the precariousness of the situation.

If I needed anything to perfect the precariousness of my steering, it was just that.

He was supremely conscious of the precariousness of his situation.

Consider for a moment the precariousness of the life of an insect!

He felt, with a sense of great weakness, the precariousness of his job.

The new ruler was aware of the precariousness of his position.

The chief defects of Lindley are self-sterility, precariousness in bearing and lack of adaptation to many soils.

Such an error as this shows the precariousness of historical testimony, even where it seems to be best grounded.

As much perhaps from the precariousness of their situation as from a reckless daring, they could not brook the least delay.

Successive Land Acts lift them more and more into a position of security from one of precariousness.

precariousness

dangers

imperilment

insecureness

insecurities

insecurity

precariousness

More words related to precariousness

danger

dangers

imperilment

insecureness

insecurities

insecurity