Synonym Chooser

How is the word precipitous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of precipitous are abrupt, sheer, and steep. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

When might abrupt be a better fit than precipitous?

The meanings of abrupt and precipitous largely overlap; however, abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

When is sheer a more appropriate choice than precipitous?

In some situations, the words sheer and precipitous are roughly equivalent. However, sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

When would steep be a good substitute for precipitous?

The synonyms steep and precipitous are sometimes interchangeable, but steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill
a steep dive

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 precipitous Those numbers set up financial markets for another precipitous fall after stocks on Thursday suffered their biggest one-day drops since 2020, vaporizing roughly $2 trillion in investor wealth, according to FactSet. Alain Sherter, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2025 But for the team’s second home game here, the Athletics logged a precipitous dip in ticket sales. Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Such a precipitous fall on that end of the floor has been one of the many issues that has plagued Phoenix this season. Mikai Bruce, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 The Twins’ precipitous fall continued with a 3-5 trip through Cleveland and Boston. Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
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
Adjective
  • In some older buildings, condo owners are being asked to pay steep special assessments that threaten to force some people out of their homes.
    Greg Allen, NPR, 3 May 2025
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health would all face steep reductions.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • And then all of the sudden all of these people come over and start dropping turkey and stuffing all over the ground.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 1 May 2025
  • Then, all of a sudden, one of those teams had one of the top five players in the league fall right in its lap.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • To tell the story of a middle-aged man’s impulsive leap into restaurant ownership, he’s gathered an accomplished cast wielding effortless charm.
    Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2025
  • Could this change in spending from non-essential items to more essential ones mean a realignment away from impulsive internet purchases and toward more bare essentials?
    Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • In his headlong rush to replace Pax Americana with America First, Mr. Trump has left the world fumbling to adjust to a new landscape, the contours of which are still in flux.
    Mark Landler, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • My yell must have startled him for a second or two, and my headlong rush kept him off balance just long enough.
    Howard Copenhaver, Outdoor Life, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Leaders who react without thinking can end up causing a lot of stress and making hasty decisions, which can lead to more problems later on.
    Vipin Thomas, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Shocked to see a soaking-wet Martha at her door, Serena eagerly digests June’s hasty cover story: Lovelorn and pathetic, June has risked her life to beg Nick to run away to Canada with their daughter.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Symptoms 3-5 days after onset: The measles rash will start to appear usually beginning as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline, later spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.
    Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 1 May 2025
  • This type of tick carries Lyme disease, an illness that can cause a rash, flu-like symptoms, and joint pain.
    Margie Cullen, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Military families, whose stability should be a national priority, are left instead navigating economic turbulence born out of reckless policymaking.
    Michael B Smith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
  • These reckless cuts will rip vital support away from our veterans, seniors, students, and families recovering from disaster.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 12 May. 2025.

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