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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
Economy
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