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
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 Those updates references – and the series of chases, Rube Goldberg mechanisms, and bits of derring-do they all precipitate – also allowed the filmmaking to push their formal boundaries. Ben Croll, Variety, 14 June 2023
Noun
As the water increases in temperature, CaCO3 undergoes a chemical reaction and precipitates out of the water, forming incrustants, or little crystals. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2024 Gadgil and his students have been exploring several methods to perform the actual arsenic removal, generally involving binding up the poison into a precipitate that can be filtered. Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2015
Verb
Months later, Majors was arrested for assaulting his then-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, precipitating a swift public downfall. Nate Jones, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025 The failed offseason pursuit of free-agent Jorge Polanco precipitated a time-share between Brendan Rodgers and Mauricio Dubón that has produced pedestrian results, prompting wonder if an approaching deadline could lead to a shakeup. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for precipitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitate
Adjective
  • This comes as the Trump administration has faced growing criticisms for its hurried proceedings to remove as many noncitizens from the country as quickly as possible.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
  • In Alentejo, food is meant to be shared, and time at the table is never hurried, and this is a central element of the experience at São Lourenço do Barrocal.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The unintended result was heightened wildfire risk.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • As the documents explained, the authors relied on diagnostic codes to separate miscarriages, which are often also treated with mifepristone, from abortions—a practice that may yield imprecise results.
    Keren Landman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
Noun
  • Sometimes, Tarhan explained, women will flip the cups over and try and try to decipher the meaning left behind by the coffee sediment — kind of like reading your fortune in tea leaves.
    Samantha Husted, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2025
  • Cable bacteria are found in marine and freshwater sediments and, unusually among bacteria, are electrically conductive.
    Ritsuko Kawai, Wired News, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • The vehicle exploded less than 10 minutes after liftoff, raining debris down on The Bahamas.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 19 May 2025
  • The singer exclaimed in surprise as confetti rained down amid his second performance, which also featured a techno remix of the sweeping ballad.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Show how data from customers/employees contributes to product innovations; present plans for sharing resultant value. 2.
    James Felton Keith, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Finally, the resultant structure was coated in potassium hydroxide, which washes away less stable structures and leaves behind thousands of microscopic pores.
    Michael Franco, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • In December Bomba testified via video in a deposition ordered by the federal judge presiding over the lawsuit.
    Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 13 May 2025
  • On Friday, the rapper’s legal team is set to sit Moretti through another deposition, or a sworn interview with a witness conducted before a trial.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, industrial policy made a comeback as Western governments poured billions into subsidy programs to build strategic capabilities at home.
    Ian Bremmer, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
  • From that time on, almost every startup is AI-focused, venture capital has poured millions into this technology, and most forward-thinking and innovative companies want to implement AI into their workflows and operations.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Those qualities also led to some mistimed tackles and rash decisions, but Casado will be a better player for this season.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • Dear Abby: My cousin (more like a sister) has made some extremely rash and concerning choices over the last year.
    Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 9 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitate. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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