What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
precarious
Example
The hiker found himself in a precarious situation when he lost his map and compass. [precarious: adjective]
Example
The company's financial situation was precarious due to the pandemic's impact on the economy. [precarious: adjective]
insecure
Example
The child felt insecure walking home alone at night. [insecure: adjective]
Example
The employee felt insecure about their job after hearing rumors of layoffs. [insecure: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Insecure is more commonly used than precarious in everyday language. Insecure is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while precarious is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between precarious and insecure?
Both precarious and insecure can be used in formal or informal contexts, but precarious may be more commonly used in technical or specialized fields.
