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

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of precipitous But that engagement drop was more tempered compared to 2021's precipitous year-over-year decline. —

Neal Rothschild, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025 The streets here are steep, as in San Francisco-steep—so precipitous that brave locals (or crazy, some might say) hurtle down them in homemade bobsleds every January. —

Cassidy Randall, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 What happened during the time in between was a precipitous fall for Rodgers. —

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2025 The long passages of banal detail in Murakami’s fiction are a sort of ballast, anchoring his precipitous swerves into the fantastic. —

Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for precipitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous

Adjective

Overhead, a pair of firefighting helicopters circled in constant, hurried laps between the lake and the burning hillsides.

— Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
He’s got quick crossover acceleration with a hurried stride that cranks its way up ice to give him good speed.

— Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025