1
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
soon regretted our precipitous actions in international affairs
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2
as in steep
having an incline approaching the perpendicular
a precipitous ski slope that fully merits its triple diamond designation
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Recent Examples of precipitous
The seas, too, saw changes in reef composition, precipitous drops in plankton and the disappearance of whale-sized ichthyosaurs while their smaller relatives lived on during the same time.
—
Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters During Elon Musk’s two months in Washington, D.C., Tesla shares have been on a precipitous decline, losing over 40% of their value.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
Last season was indicative of how his peaks and valleys can be precipitous and endure for a while.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
Faith leaders worried congregations wouldn’t return, that the pandemic might spell a precipitous drop in an American religious life that was already becoming more secular.
—Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters During Elon Musk’s two months in Washington, D.C., Tesla shares have been on a precipitous decline, losing over 40% of their value.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
Last season was indicative of how his peaks and valleys can be precipitous and endure for a while.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
Faith leaders worried congregations wouldn’t return, that the pandemic might spell a precipitous drop in an American religious life that was already becoming more secular.
—Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
Adjective
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Nevertheless, the Spaniard drove his happiness in it throughout the facility, always with his signature celebratory cigar and at no greater speed than the hurried pace of an ordinary person.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
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While some treasure hoards dating to this period appear hurried — as if someone was trying to hide their wealth in a moment of crisis, for example — the Galloway Hoard looks different.—
Joshua Rapp Learn,
Discover Magazine,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And in January 2024, a steep entertainment tax on services by karaoke bars, spas, and nightclubs had been proposed, though that was scrapped the next month after backlash from local businesses.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
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Hop aboard one of the town’s white Volkswagen Beetle taxis to navigate the steep streets, or take the cable car to Hotel Montetaxco—a fine place for views of Taxco rooftops and to rest your head for the night.—
Meagan Drillinger,
AFAR Media,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Don’t be surprised if your insights come through unconventional means — like a sudden dream, a deep gut feeling or even a meaningful synchronicity that guides you toward a new direction.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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While the stock market recovered over the next two years, the sudden crash prompted the New York Stock Exchange to introduce circuit breakers—temporary halts in trading intended to calm markets and prevent panic selling—which kick in when stock prices fall too sharply, too fast.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Clients who check their investments frequently tend to experience more anxiety and are more likely to make impulsive changes.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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In Trump's impulsive first term, Waltz might've been fired.—
Marc Caputo,
Axios,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While no supporter — surely — would swap any of that frenetic, headlong decade for Tottenham’s inert version of stability, glory becomes addictive.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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This endless, headlong energy can produce a caffeinated buzz that rises to the brain on little prickling bubbles of enjoyment.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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According to El Confidencial, Trillo pressured the buyer into making a hasty purchase, claiming other investors were circling.—
Daniel Cassady for ARTnews,
Robb Report,
28 Mar. 2025
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Experts recommend talking to managers before making a hasty decision.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Children are typically brought to the hospital after having the body rash for several days.—
Emily Baumgaertner Nunn,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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Later in the episode, it’s slowly revealed that the groom and the bride also have the ringworm rash.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Now, as his reckless tariffs rattle markets and the stock market tumbles, the real cost of his policies is coming into view.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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This reckless governance has fueled a housing affordability crisis.—
Chris Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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