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
David Brennan, ABC News, 3 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
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, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Researchers suggest combining it with evaporation, selective adsorbents, or lithium-precipitating chemicals.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
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
The Haleiwa Hotel could not compete with the burgeoning tourism district of Waikiki, precipitating its demise.
—Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
This winter -- the fourth of Russia's full-scale invasion -- has seen Moscow intensively target Ukraine's energy infrastructure, wreaking havoc on the national grid and precipitating rolling and extended blackouts for millions of Ukrainians.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 3 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
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, Twin Cities, 13 Jan. 2026
Researchers suggest combining it with evaporation, selective adsorbents, or lithium-precipitating chemicals.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
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
The Haleiwa Hotel could not compete with the burgeoning tourism district of Waikiki, precipitating its demise.
—Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitating
Adjective
-
London, United Kingdom — On a rainy afternoon in London, Yin Xiuzhen sits under a canopy of red, pink, purple and orange garments stretched over a steel frame.—
Precious Adesina,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
During the rainy season in 2025, city leaders were late to establish the pump trucks, only doing so after several businesses had already flooded.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Illinois, meanwhile, had no issue raining shots from long range in the first half, or speeding past USC through the lane, for that matter.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Just hours after bombs began raining down on Oahu, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, two FBI agents arrived unannounced at Nikki Nojima Louis’ home in Seattle’s Japantown.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Their ice maker expelled large clumps of wet salt, which, when rubbed, dissolved into an oily, foul-smelling substance.—
Nick Bowlin,
The Frontier,
16 Feb. 2026
-
If a broom is your go-to for floor cleaning, try another tool like a vacuum or wet mop to get a more thoroughly clean kitchen floor in less time.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Mixing and pouring your own concrete is a much more involved DIY project, but the result can be well worth it.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
-
At the same time, the investors who are pouring billions of dollars into AI are desperate to get a return on their investment, Brian Jackson, the principal research director at technology research and advisory company Info-Tech Research Group, told Fortune.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After straddling a gate in Run 2 of the slalom in Bormio, an emotional Atle Lie McGrath of Norway chucked his ski poles and laid down in the snow after storming off the Stelvio course.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Lucas on $50,000 fine for court storming The ACC fined UM $50,000 as punishment for its fans storming the court after the win over UNC.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The study also noted that many of these companies guaranteed some news outlets would cover the press releases, and were essentially flooding the space with garbage crypto information dressed up to look like reliable news.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
However, two devastating challenges not readily realized are flooding and future water scarcity affecting our farms and ranches.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precipitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitating. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
