as in raining
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
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 precipitating
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Fear of a repeat invasion also led Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev to send nuclear missiles to Cuba, precipitating the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962 that nearly led to nuclear war.
—
Kevin A. Young,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
And then a track number is posted, precipitating a mad dash that runs somewhere between the running of the bulls in Pamplona and entering Wal-Mart on Black Friday in 1999.
—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Iranian strikes have targeted the energy infrastructure of its neighbors and instituted a blockade on the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world's oil and gas was shipped before the war, precipitating the worst energy shock in decades.
—
Katrina Bishop,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Its Jupiter-crossing orbit leads to gravitational interactions, precipitating a future ejection in 2098.
—
Big Think,
2 Mar. 2026
Some survivors have criticized the process and called for full release of the files, which are precipitating global fallout.
—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Clegg was central to Meta’s decision to take a hard line against Moscow, precipitating an all-out ban on Facebook and Instagram in Russia.
—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
The quick pronouncement by administration officials before any meaningful investigation could be completed has raised concerns about the federal government’s determination to conduct a thorough review of the chain of events precipitating the shooting.
—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
The second episode… [is about] the fall of the group, precipitating [John Pearson’s] leaving, the downfall.
—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
Fear of a repeat invasion also led Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev to send nuclear missiles to Cuba, precipitating the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962 that nearly led to nuclear war.
—
Kevin A. Young,
The Conversation,
8 June 2026
And then a track number is posted, precipitating a mad dash that runs somewhere between the running of the bulls in Pamplona and entering Wal-Mart on Black Friday in 1999.
—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Iranian strikes have targeted the energy infrastructure of its neighbors and instituted a blockade on the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world's oil and gas was shipped before the war, precipitating the worst energy shock in decades.
—
Katrina Bishop,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Its Jupiter-crossing orbit leads to gravitational interactions, precipitating a future ejection in 2098.
—
Big Think,
2 Mar. 2026
Some survivors have criticized the process and called for full release of the files, which are precipitating global fallout.
—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Clegg was central to Meta’s decision to take a hard line against Moscow, precipitating an all-out ban on Facebook and Instagram in Russia.
—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
18 Jan. 2026
The quick pronouncement by administration officials before any meaningful investigation could be completed has raised concerns about the federal government’s determination to conduct a thorough review of the chain of events precipitating the shooting.
—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitating
Adjective
-
Most riders understand why the trip costs more on a rainy Friday afternoon than on a quiet Sunday morning; adjusting prices for weather, traffic, or supply is a transparent way to balance a market.
-
The rainy season in South Florida attracts more amphibious jumpers to home yards — and every pet owner should fear one kind.
Verb
-
While paradegoers marched through downtown, there was no confetti raining over the city.
-
The tournament has been beset with fears over seat pricing and turnout, but the Azteca stadium was full and in carnival mode, with beer and paper sombreros raining from the stands.
Adjective
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.
-
In May, confirming rumors that had been swirling for months, Anthropic’s life sciences lead Eric Kauderer-Abrams publicly acknowledged that the company is building out its own wet labs and hiring biologists to run its own basic research.
Verb
-
Endwell Fire Department crews found the building fully engulfed, with heavy black smoke pouring from the front of the structure and flames visible at the rear.
-
The woman is seen pouring what appears to be hot sauce over Martinez's food before the confrontation quickly escalates.
Verb
-
Speedy Jonah Cox replaced Devers, who tried to shoo him away before relenting and storming through the dugout.
-
But to compare them with Thomas Jefferson or American soldiers storming the beaches of Normandy is absurd and more than a little insulting.
Verb
-
Harold remembers crowds flooding in the day the doors opened.
-
At the same time, severe thunderstorms continue across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with flooding concerns stretching from the Rockies into the Mid-Atlantic.
Cite this Entry
“Precipitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitating. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
