Synonym Chooser

How is the word precipitous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of precipitous are abrupt, sheer, and steep. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

When might abrupt be a better fit than precipitous?

The meanings of abrupt and precipitous largely overlap; however, abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

When is sheer a more appropriate choice than precipitous?

In some situations, the words sheer and precipitous are roughly equivalent. However, sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

When would steep be a good substitute for precipitous?

The synonyms steep and precipitous are sometimes interchangeable, but steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill
a steep dive

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of precipitous Intel, which dominated the semiconductor field for decades, is struggling with market-share losses, manufacturing setbacks and a precipitous decline in its earnings. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025 Given the importance of a strong credit score, a precipitous drop of 100 to 200 points has real implications for borrowers. Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 Yes, but: The U.S. hit a high water mark in 2019, with 1,274 cases before seeing a precipitous drop during the COVID pandemic. Tina Reed, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025 Loading your audio article The 49ers took a precipitous dip in terms of performance in 2024 but there wasn’t much slippage in terms of how the organization is viewed by its players. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
Adjective
  • 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
  • What’s next? Republicans managed to pass a hurried, stopgap spending bill on March 14, 2025 only by the skin of their teeth.
    Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That was a slightly steeper decline than the one reported in a preliminary reading earlier this month.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Rescue crews found the hikers along a steep cliff edge in the Big Flat Area, about 10 miles north of an area known as Shelter Cove, according to a news release from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • At least one state public health official is worried that the sudden loss in funding will hurt their state’s grasp of the virus.
    Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Brett Gardner and his wife Jessica announced on Sunday that their son Miller had died after a sudden illness while on vacation.
    Ana Melgar Zuniga and Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The proliferation of financial news, sensationalist headlines, and social media can amplify anxiety, leading to impulsive decisions that deviate from long-term plans.
    True Tamplin, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Even during a recession, advisors should encourage clients to avoid impulsive moves like selling assets at depressed prices.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Their headlong rise has mirrored that of the men’s team, and opened a pathway for girls and young women to play.
    George Caulkin, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Experts recommend talking to managers before making a hasty decision.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Measles can cause high fever, rash, swollen salivary glands and complications including brain swelling, deafness and pneumonia, which affects 1 of every 20 children sick with measles and is the most common cause of death from measles in kids, according to the CDC.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Other than grabbing sunscreen, rash guard and a snack, her day’s work involved inspecting various coral reefs and diving down sixty feet to the ocean floor.
    Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Democrats slammed the Signal chat as a reckless violation of secrecy that could have put service members in harm’s way.
    Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Marcantonio faces four counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and a single count each of reckless driving, failure to maintain the proper lane and first-degree manslaughter.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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