General Antonyms:
* Instability: This emphasizes the lack of security and permanence that tenure offers.
* Uncertainty: This highlights the unpredictability of a situation without tenure.
* Temporariness: This directly contrasts with the long-term nature of tenure.
* Precarity: This refers to a state of vulnerability and insecurity, which is often associated with the lack of tenure.
Specific Antonyms:
* Contractual employment: This is a direct opposite to tenure in the context of academic employment.
* Temporary position: This implies a limited duration of employment, unlike the potentially permanent nature of tenure.
* Probationary period: This refers to a trial period before attaining tenure.
Other Words:
* Vulnerability: This implies a lack of protection and security that tenure provides.
* Risk: This highlights the potential for losing a position without tenure.
The best antonym will depend on the specific context in which you are using the word "tenure."