precipitous

adjective

pre·​cip·​i·​tous pri-ˈsi-pə-təs How to pronounce precipitous (audio)
1
2
a
: very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging in rise or fall
a precipitous slope
b
: having precipitous sides
a precipitous gorge
c
: having a very steep ascent
a precipitous street
precipitously adverb
precipitousness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for precipitous

steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular.

steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill
a steep dive

abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

Examples of precipitous in a Sentence

There has been a precipitous decline in home sales recently. People were shocked by his precipitous fall from political power.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This precipitous drop in the number of disputes taken to the WTO comes even as more states adopt protectionist trade measures contrary to WTO rules. Kristen Hopewell, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2024 The number of applications climbed as the city and the country experienced a precipitous rise in violent crime. Marin Cogan, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024 Sadly, LeMahieu has battled injuries and a precipitous decline in performance while still owed $30 million over the next two seasons according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024 Virgin Galactic went public through a SPAC merger in 2019, but the company's stock price has been on a precipitous decline. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for precipitous 

Word History

Etymology

French précipiteux, from Middle French, from Latin precipitium precipice

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of precipitous was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near precipitous

Cite this Entry

“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precipitous. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

precipitous

adjective
pre·​cip·​i·​tous pri-ˈsip-ət-əs How to pronounce precipitous (audio)
1
: showing unwise and unnecessary haste : rash
a precipitous act
2
: steep like a precipice
a precipitous slope
precipitously adverb
precipitousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on precipitous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!