1
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
soon regretted our precipitous actions in international affairs
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in steep
having an incline approaching the perpendicular
a precipitous ski slope that fully merits its triple diamond designation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precipitous
For industry analysts, the lack of such Hollywood-event movies is the latest evidence of a film business in precipitous decline.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
In a brief filed in the Supreme Court case, the UC system said the change led to a precipitous drop in underrepresented minorities, especially at the system’s most selective campuses.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Fortune, 6 May 2026
With its precipitous mountains and spectacular beaches looking out on the Norwegian Sea, the Lofoten Island chain is a magnet for tourists even during the long months of winter.
—Alan Crawford, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
Look for shares to continue their climb, maybe not at this precipitous pace, but climb nonetheless and rally back to its 200-day moving average, around $215.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
In a brief filed in the Supreme Court case, the UC system said the change led to a precipitous drop in underrepresented minorities, especially at the system’s most selective campuses.
—Heather Hollingsworth, Fortune, 6 May 2026
With its precipitous mountains and spectacular beaches looking out on the Norwegian Sea, the Lofoten Island chain is a magnet for tourists even during the long months of winter.
—Alan Crawford, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
Look for shares to continue their climb, maybe not at this precipitous pace, but climb nonetheless and rally back to its 200-day moving average, around $215.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
Adjective
-
Right now, decisions are being made in a hurried, contradictory fashion.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
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In addition, the hurried evaluation and adoption of this proposal, which became public less than a week ago, is unnecessary.—
Jeff Kottkamp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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In one of them he was seen hanging from the edge of a rocky cliff using his bare hands, his legs dangling toward a steep slope in a risky performance without safety equipment.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
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Echoing this enthusiasm, President and CEO Sean Dalfen said finding high-quality assets at such a steep discount is increasingly rare, offering the firm strong in-place cash flow alongside flexible exit strategies.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, Mahan and his wealthy Silicon Valley backers talked themselves into a rushed and premature campaign that was never remotely competitive.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
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
Adjective
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Authorities said that in the days leading up to her disappearance, Moore exhibited behavior that was out of character, including a sudden absence and an abrupt change in social media presence, according to ABC News.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
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His sudden passing has left his wife, Pamela, to raise their two children alone, Melissa Lynch, a family friend wrote in a GoFundMe campaign statement.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Kat makes the impulsive decision to marry Charlie, who agrees to remain in the relationship for a few months for the positive press.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
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The criteria include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, having unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsive behavior, chronic feelings of emptiness, intense anger, emotional instability, paranoia or dissociation under stress, and recurrent suicidal behavior or self-harm.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The headlong rush of Na’s bonkers would-be international blockbuster left Cannes alternatively awed, befuddled and thrilled.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
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What burning question prompted such a headlong pursuit?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Words, and perhaps a hasty illustration, were your only ways to tell a story.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
10 June 2026
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This cultural reinforcement of speed over thoughtful planning can lead to hasty decisions that ultimately create more problems that the COO is then expected to solve.—
Allison Mais,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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Having trekked the territory with his trusty surveyor’s compass, and in the absence of anyone else rash enough to do it, Washington volunteers to deliver an ultimatum to the encroaching French forces.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
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Unvaccinated people who may have been exposed are urged to quarantine, avoid large gatherings and watch for fever, cough, rash or red eyes for up to three weeks.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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