PRECIPITOUS Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

precipitous

adjective

pri-ˈsi-pə-təs

Definition of precipitous next

as in hurried

acting or done with excessive or careless speed soon regretted our precipitous actions in international affairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in steep

having an incline approaching the perpendicular a precipitous ski slope that fully merits its triple diamond designation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of precipitous Almost all mainline Christian faiths have seen precipitous drops in the pews, but the smaller presence of Catholicism is particularly evident in Milwaukee, where Catholic churches historically have anchored neighborhoods and acted as virtual community centers. —

Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 4 Nov. 2024 Both precipitous aging and steep sub-replacement fertility are inextricably connected to the ongoing revolution in family structure. —

Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024 An average of polls conducted in Michigan since Sept. 4 shows the Democratic share of the Black electorate dropping by a precipitous 21 points on margin since 2020. —

Cooper Burton, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2024 But then the bubble burst, and Masa’s net worth declined by a precipitous 95%, making a different type of history and earning him a citation in the Guinness Book of World records. —

Alok Sama, Fortune Asia, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for precipitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous

Adjective

The holiday season can be a hurried, slightly stressful time as the countdown to Christmas morning begins.

Rai Mincey, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Briskly paced, de Jonge’s movie covers a lot of ground both tonal and geographic without ever seeming hurried, conspicuously touristic or heavy-handed in its mix of humor and pathos.

Dennis Harvey, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024