precipitate 1 of 3

precipitate

2 of 3

noun

precipitate

3 of 3

verb

as in to rain
to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds the air mass was dry, as much of the moisture had precipitated out on the other side of the mountains

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective precipitate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of precipitate are abrupt, headlong, impetuous, and sudden. While all these words mean "showing undue haste or unexpectedness," precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action.

the army's precipitate withdrawal

When is it sensible to use abrupt instead of precipitate?

Although the words abrupt and precipitate have much in common, abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony.

an abrupt refusal

When is headlong a more appropriate choice than precipitate?

While the synonyms headlong and precipitate are close in meaning, headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought.

a headlong flight from arrest

When would impetuous be a good substitute for precipitate?

The words impetuous and precipitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness.

an impetuous lover proposing marriage

When can sudden be used instead of precipitate?

The meanings of sudden and precipitate largely overlap; however, sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action.

flew into a sudden rage

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 precipitate
Adjective
To make sure that in condensing everything, there is nothing forced or too precipitate, no unwieldly jumps. John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024 An additional factor that has been increasingly in the mix is that old and deteriorating dam infrastructure can fail amidst excessive rainfall events and precipitate catastrophic flooding. Sarah Raza, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023
Noun
Says the report: The calomel is captured as a precipitate and transferred to a mercury recycler who presumably converts it to elemental mercury and sells it into commerce. . . . Sallie Tisdale, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024 As the water increases in temperature, CaCO3 undergoes a chemical reaction and precipitates out of the water, forming incrustants, or little crystals. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2024
Verb
In 2007, Hamas violently seized control of Gaza, precipitating a split with the West Bank that continues to this day. Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025 But annual revenue fell back to $104 million by 2022, and the company was unprofitable in the post-pandemic landscape, precipitating the bankruptcy filing. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precipitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitate
Adjective
  • Some sequences feel hurried, some satirical dialogue is a little too on the nose and a special effect around the climax lacks the polish of the production design elsewhere.
    Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Additionally, hurried or reactive infrastructure development may expose the investor to significant foreign asset reporting and tax burdens (NCTI, for example) that could have been mitigated if a multi-disciplinary framework had been considered.
    Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The result is that the field of ketamine therapy goes unregulated.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Police have not indicated whether the test results have come back, who owns the dogs or if there are more dogs possibly being investigated.
    Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On the eastern side of the escarpment near Noto Canyon is a deposit of sediment reaching up to 800 meters thick.
    Elizabeth Fernandez, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Dams hold back sediment that would normally flow to the coast.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The match was played under Arthur Ashe Stadium's closed roof due to rain, creating windless conditions that favored both players' power-hitting styles.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
  • As boos rained down from the Philly crowd and Carter trudged to the locker-room, TV cameras showed Carter appearing to spit at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In her post, the 27-year-old shares how a rushed layover and a tight schedule turned a simple flight connection into an emotional ordeal.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • However, concerns have been raised by industry stakeholders about a rushed and opaque consultation process, with some fearing prior targets will be watered down.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
  • The resultant casualty levels were stunning.
    Jack Sheehan September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This pace of growth means that every new generation of AI comes with an order-of-magnitude increase in energy, water demand and the resultant CO2 impact.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The deposition was part of a lawsuit filed by Lisa Jackson, a former manager of one of Paula’s restaurants, Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House.
    Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In 2013, the celebrity chef confessed to having used the slur in a legal deposition.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Skip the Glencairn and pour it into a wine glass.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Immediately pour mixture into a medium heatproof bowl.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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