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
Once completed, the smelter will produce 90,000 tonnes of mixed hydroxide precipitate, a crucial material for making EV batteries. Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 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
Verb
The federal government is expected at midnight to run out of money, precipitating a shutdown, unless lawmakers come together on Tuesday to resolve their differences. ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025 So did Fergie, with other affairs that became public knowledge and precipitated the divorce. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precipitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitate
Adjective
  • By doing so, the Panthers tried a hurried, fire-drill field goal, which Ryan Fitzgerald then proceeded to miss, which meant the halftime score was 19-3, Buffalo, and soon to get much worse.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
  • There were multiple occasions in which A&M’s defensive front hit or hurried quarterback Garrett Nussmeier with just four rushers.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • One year after taking the helm, Niccol’s restructuring plan – including menu pare-back as well as store closures and remodeling – has shown mixed results.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • In this edition, CW looks at Tuesday's election results.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Hektoria rests on an ice plain, where sliding ice glides over flat sediment on the seabed.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Plumbers recommend flushing a hot water heater once a year to clear out the sediment.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Boos rained down upon him before the third inning of Game 7, when umpires allowed Ohtani to throw warmup pitches after the 2-minute, 55-second clock between innings had elapsed.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The second period ended with boos raining down on the officiating crew, and Matt Boldy in the penalty box.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Our poor Toby, always so stressed, always so rushed.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
  • These alternatives can often provide a richer, less rushed experience than a whirlwind day trip to Paris.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the US developed a thermochemical conversion process that doesn’t require the resultant fuel to be blended with fossil fuels.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Moyes and assistant McKinlay both remonstrated with the fourth official at the resultant flash of a yellow card.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The reason for this striking look is the inhibitor gene which suppresses pigment deposition at the base of the hair shaft, giving the cat the shimmering effect.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is expected to sit for a deposition Thursday morning in a lawsuit over his agency’s immigration enforcement tactics in the Chicago area.
    Devan Cole, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the end the Bears lose the big game but get to pour beer all over themselves.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Contractors working on the project recently completed pouring the foundation for what will provide smaller housing units meant to make quarantining detainees with communicable illnesses safer and easier.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitate. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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