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Antonyms for precariously

Grammar : Adv
Spell : pri-kair-ee-uhs
Phonetic Transcription : prɪˈkɛər i əs

Definition of precariously

Origin :
  • 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.
  • As in seriously : adv dangerously, critically
  • As in dangerously : adv precariously
Example sentences :
  • Vine vigorous, precariously hardy, lacking in productiveness.
  • Extract from : « Manual of American Grape-Growing » by U. P. Hedrick
  • It seemed to him he remained there precariously alone with the stanchion for a long, long time.
  • Extract from : « Typhoon » by Joseph Conrad
  • He labours to bear in mind, how undeservedly they are often bestowed, how precariously they are always possessed.
  • Extract from : « A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Middle and Higher Classes in this Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity. » by William Wilberforce
  • He was the son of Amoz, who has been (much too precariously) identified with a brother of Amaziah.
  • Extract from : « The Expositor's Bible » by F. W. Farrar
  • It then appeared how precariously it had stood for many years.
  • Extract from : « The Book of Curiosities » by I. Platts
  • Precariously, Reuben said: "I think he's gone, Grandmother."
  • Extract from : « Wilderness of Spring » by Edgar Pangborn
  • But its existence was precariously balanced on public trust.
  • Extract from : « The Man Who Staked the Stars » by Charles Dye
  • The most precariously perched had paid no toll but the chimney.
  • Extract from : « Ancestors » by Gertrude Atherton
  • And it was for this tide that the Japanese had so precariously waited.
  • Extract from : « The Human Drift » by Jack London
  • Trix was rather a well-known inventor in her day and season—which is the one from which we are all precariously recovering.
  • Extract from : « The Intrusions of Peggy » by Anthony Hope

Synonyms for precariously

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019