as in hastily
with excessive or careless speed
the sight of swimmers exiting the water precipitously when some joker shouted "Shark!"
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Recent Examples of precipitously
The market for kids’ vintage clothing has heated up precipitously over the last few years, perhaps hitting a boiling point in January when an Eeyore romper from the ’90s sold for over $3,000 on EBay.
—
Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
The number of immigrants released on parole or bond has dropped precipitously in the following months, experts say.
—Rob Kuznia, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
After the Second World War, streetcar usage declined precipitously, as many white middle-class and working-class Angelenos bought automobiles and moved out of the city’s core.
—Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
In reality, Pickle Girl had precipitously tumbled off her growth curve just months earlier.
—Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2026
Home winning percentage has declined precipitously in both the regular season and the playoffs—likely due to improvements to travel conditions, sleep habits and recovery science.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026
Without that combination, pay drops precipitously.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Apple’s revenue soared precipitously in the mid-2010s partly due to strong sales in China.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In other words, that wouldn’t explain why enrollment has fallen precipitously in the last 12 months or so.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
The number of immigrants released on parole or bond has dropped precipitously in the following months, experts say.
—Rob Kuznia, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
After the Second World War, streetcar usage declined precipitously, as many white middle-class and working-class Angelenos bought automobiles and moved out of the city’s core.
—Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
In reality, Pickle Girl had precipitously tumbled off her growth curve just months earlier.
—Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2026
Home winning percentage has declined precipitously in both the regular season and the playoffs—likely due to improvements to travel conditions, sleep habits and recovery science.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026
Without that combination, pay drops precipitously.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Apple’s revenue soared precipitously in the mid-2010s partly due to strong sales in China.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
In other words, that wouldn’t explain why enrollment has fallen precipitously in the last 12 months or so.
—Kff Health News, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitously
Adverb
-
This is another entry that seems hastily done, insufficiently explained.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
-
It has already been hastily extended with short-term patches twice this year.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Adverb
-
And if Black passengers dared to pull the curtain aside, the dining car steward would hurriedly pull the curtain closed, or worse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
The Spaniard left hurriedly, carrying a frown that owed to a sense of injustice.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adverb
-
When Saajan impulsively offers to join her, plans accelerate, leading to some of the most thrilling and heartbreaking moments the piece offers.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
-
Leaders who can regulate themselves in difficult moments are easier to trust than those who react impulsively.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precipitously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitously. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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