Vocabulary Builder — Essay & Answer Writing
Precarious
adjective
/ prih-KAIR-ee-us /
Medium
Meaning
Dependent on chance or circumstances; uncertain, unstable, and potentially dangerous; not securely held
Origin / Etymology
Latin precarius — obtained by prayer/petition; hence, uncertain, dependent on the will of another
Synonyms
Unstable
Uncertain
Tenuous
Vulnerable
Antonyms
Secure
Stable
Safe
Certain
Example Sentence
"Millions of gig economy workers in India exist in a precarious employment situation, lacking the social security benefits available to formal sector workers."
🎯 UPSC Usage
Valuable for GS1 (social issues), GS3 (economy — labour, poverty). 'Precarious employment', 'precarious livelihoods', 'precarious peace'. Also: 'India's energy security remains precarious given 85% import dependence on crude oil'. The word conveys instability plus risk — stronger than just 'uncertain'.
Relevant Subjects