as in poured
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
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Recent Examples of precipitated
The question of consent had long been debated by legislators, and finally, precipitated by Gisèle’s case and almost a year after her trial ended, the law was changed.
—
Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
What follows is a lot like what precipitated the original kiss.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Now, Mandelson’s own proximity to the filthy rich appears to have precipitated his final downfall.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
The story argues that an incident on the set of 2017’s Good Time precipitated the break-up.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
The health care issue is what precipitated the government shutdown of last fall, the longest in history.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2026
My acceptance precipitated an existential crisis since the job was so distant from what I’d been trained to do.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Grant’s real-life death was one of the many instances of police brutality that precipitated the creation of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the film premiered the same year BLM was founded.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Eastern and Western churches were united until the Great Schism of 1054, a divide precipitated largely by disagreements over the primacy of the pope.
—Nicole Winfield, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
What follows is a lot like what precipitated the original kiss.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Now, Mandelson’s own proximity to the filthy rich appears to have precipitated his final downfall.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
The story argues that an incident on the set of 2017’s Good Time precipitated the break-up.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
The health care issue is what precipitated the government shutdown of last fall, the longest in history.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2026
My acceptance precipitated an existential crisis since the job was so distant from what I’d been trained to do.
—Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Grant’s real-life death was one of the many instances of police brutality that precipitated the creation of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the film premiered the same year BLM was founded.
—Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Eastern and Western churches were united until the Great Schism of 1054, a divide precipitated largely by disagreements over the primacy of the pope.
—Nicole Winfield, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitated
Verb
-
The publication has poured millions of pounds into the effort, building out a TV-quality studio and hiring experienced video staff.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Blue gloves and helmets flew into the air, and the players poured onto the ice in jubilation.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The decision ended a lengthy review spurred by a test flight mishap with SpaceX's Starship megarocket, which rained debris down on parts of the island nation nearly a year ago.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
On the morning of April 20, artillery fire rained down on the Amethyst from the north bank of the river, causing the ship to run aground.—
Anne Ewbank,
Popular Science,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Photography enthusiasts will enjoy hanging out in the hotel’s public spaces; the hotel is flooded with natural light and features a spacious foyer with striking contemporary sculptures inspired by the lush hills and rugged shores of Shenzhen.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
In this election cycle, the equation is being altered as the campaigns of Black politicians are being flooded with major cash from AIPAC donors and affiliates, radically shifting the equilibrium of some races.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fans stormed the court in celebration at the buzzer.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Fans stormed the court at Pauley Pavilion in celebration.—
Beth Harris,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precipitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitated. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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