precipitate 1 of 3

Definition of precipitatenext

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
Some summertime seeding occurs in clouds that would not normally precipitate. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025 Cancer can both aggravate and precipitate mental illness. Simar Bajaj, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
The new high-pressure acid leaching smelter will produce 66,000 tons of nickel in mixed hydroxide precipitate each year when completed, using nickel ore from Vale Indonesia’s mines. Yessar Rosendar, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 While the faithful typically congregate in St. Peter's Square daily during the conclave, the public signal that a pontiff has been chosen precipitates a surge of observers rushing to be among the first to see the new pope in person. Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Verb
Martin said that the coverage, along with advertising by plaintiffs’ lawyers about the class action, both precipitated the large number of patients coming forward. Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026 The proposals, announced Wednesday, underscore the economic damage the Iran war is inflicting on Europe, which only recently emerged from the energy crunch precipitated by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for precipitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitate
Adjective
  • Staying there feels like stepping back in time to a less crowded, less hurried version of Italy, where old men gather in front of the church to watch the world go by, and families with little kids enjoy a gelato on the terrace of the cafes on the main square.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
  • Certainly, costs have risen, but those sorts of checks have made a hurried meal feel like an expensive indulgence and really not that different, cost-wise, from a full-service experience.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
Noun
  • As a result, Pacers team president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard took full responsibility for the move, apologizing on social media.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
  • As a result, Australia now has a 10-point advantage in the overall standings after five events, with Britain in second and Spain just a point behind in third.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • The recent images also reveal layers of Mars' complex geological past across the region, suggesting Shalbatana Vallis may once have been even deeper before gradually filling in with sediments, ash and other material over time.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 15 May 2026
  • The phenomenon, caused by an uncharacteristically low number of tropical storms and hurricanes coupled with unseasonally light offshore winds, allowed sediment to settle closer to the ocean floor and the water to exhibit its true vibrant turquoise color.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Tanya Veluz fled the Eaton Fire with her 10-year-old as ash and embers rained down.
    Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026
  • Musk posted, along with a user video of the Starship debris raining down near the Atlantic Ocean.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Little emphasized the need to ease property taxes in a letter accompanying his signature but criticized Moyle’s approach as rushed and overly complex.
    Mark Dee March 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The resultant musical needed greater expansion of character, a gentler, simpler touch, a better sense of authentic teenage angst and a deeper focus on the heart.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
  • The resultant panic attack lands her back in the psychiatrist’s office.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In his deposition testimony, the surgeon said William began bleeding extensively, causing his heart to stop.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
  • Krebs’s group and other plaintiffs posted clips of Fox and Cavanaugh’s depositions in March in part to bring more attention—and viral infamy—to the case.
    Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • Bar staff are dancing atop a column attempting to pour champagne down a woman’s throat.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 May 2026
  • Security camera footage showed people pouring flammable material on the mosque and at least two vehicles, said Sabir Shalash, the head of Jibiya’s municipal council.
    Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitate. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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