as in raining
to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds
the air mass was dry, as much of the moisture had precipitated out on the other side of the mountains
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precipitating
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 June 2026
Fear of a repeat invasion also led Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev to send nuclear missiles to Cuba, precipitating the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962 that nearly led to nuclear war.
—Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
And then a track number is posted, precipitating a mad dash that runs somewhere between the running of the bulls in Pamplona and entering Wal-Mart on Black Friday in 1999.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Iranian strikes have targeted the energy infrastructure of its neighbors and instituted a blockade on the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world's oil and gas was shipped before the war, precipitating the worst energy shock in decades.
—Katrina Bishop, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Its Jupiter-crossing orbit leads to gravitational interactions, precipitating a future ejection in 2098.
—Big Think, 2 Mar. 2026
Some survivors have criticized the process and called for full release of the files, which are precipitating global fallout.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Clegg was central to Meta’s decision to take a hard line against Moscow, precipitating an all-out ban on Facebook and Instagram in Russia.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
The quick pronouncement by administration officials before any meaningful investigation could be completed has raised concerns about the federal government’s determination to conduct a thorough review of the chain of events precipitating the shooting.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
The second episode… [is about] the fall of the group, precipitating [John Pearson’s] leaving, the downfall.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 June 2026
Fear of a repeat invasion also led Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev to send nuclear missiles to Cuba, precipitating the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962 that nearly led to nuclear war.
—Kevin A. Young, The Conversation, 8 June 2026
And then a track number is posted, precipitating a mad dash that runs somewhere between the running of the bulls in Pamplona and entering Wal-Mart on Black Friday in 1999.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 28 May 2026
Iranian strikes have targeted the energy infrastructure of its neighbors and instituted a blockade on the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world's oil and gas was shipped before the war, precipitating the worst energy shock in decades.
—Katrina Bishop, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Its Jupiter-crossing orbit leads to gravitational interactions, precipitating a future ejection in 2098.
—Big Think, 2 Mar. 2026
Some survivors have criticized the process and called for full release of the files, which are precipitating global fallout.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Clegg was central to Meta’s decision to take a hard line against Moscow, precipitating an all-out ban on Facebook and Instagram in Russia.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 18 Jan. 2026
The quick pronouncement by administration officials before any meaningful investigation could be completed has raised concerns about the federal government’s determination to conduct a thorough review of the chain of events precipitating the shooting.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitating
Adjective
-
Cloudy and rainy conditions prevail throughout the morning, then in the afternoon the sun pokes through with calm winds.—
Kendrick Calfee
June 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
Costa Rican authorities have issued a nationwide green alert, warning that an intensifying rainy season and a developing Pacific low-pressure system threaten to trigger even more catastrophic landslides.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The tournament has been beset with fears over seat pricing and turnout, but the Azteca stadium was full and in carnival mode, with beer and paper sombreros raining from the stands.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
-
Up to a certain mass, that gas cools quickly enough to keep raining down and feeding new star formation.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
El Niño typically brings wetter conditions to the Gulf Coast and Southeast and can set up a stormier, snowier pattern for parts of California in winter.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts uncontrollably sliding on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Assemble the dessert by pouring the batter into a prepared pan and cover with the crumb topping.—
Ella Field,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2026
-
The grounds crew got the tarp down just before the rain started pouring a few minutes later.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
But to compare them with Thomas Jefferson or American soldiers storming the beaches of Normandy is absurd and more than a little insulting.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Trump's displeasure eventually culminated in him ripping off his lapel mic and storming off the set.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur battered parts of the southeastern United States with drenching rains and strong wind on Thursday, tearing through buildings, flooding homes and launching water rescues along the Gulf Coast.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Other speakers raised concerns about potential odors and air pollutants emanating from the wastewater treatment facility and about how the facility might exacerbate flooding in the area.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precipitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitating. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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