Definition of precipitousnext

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 The Toronto Maple Leafs booted Craig Berube after experiencing the loss of Mitch Marner to Vegas in the offseason and then the NHL’s most precipitous drop in the standings, from 108 points to 78. Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 25 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
Adjective
  • But for some reason the powers that be have decreed artificial intelligence a civilizational imperative, requiring the hurried construction of swarms of data centers, on Earth and in space.
    Mark Gongloff, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
  • Right now, decisions are being made in a hurried, contradictory fashion.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • Peterson would fulfill steep guard needs for the Jazz.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
  • In this kind of unpredictable environment, putting money on the line can lead to either significant gains or steep losses for bettors.
    Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 22 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
  • From a fatal weekend crash on the I-184 Connector to a sudden summer cooldown, here’s a roundup of top stories the Idaho Statesman has published this week.
    Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2026
  • The blockbuster rulings that dominate the news cycle each June are not sudden flashes of judicial willpower.
    The Conversation, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • But the prefrontal cortex is not fully developed until a person reaches their mid-to-late 20s, making young people more susceptible to impulsive behavior while gambling.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 18 June 2026
  • The underlying songwriting is impulsive, but many tracks adopt a deliberately sedate mood or sort through dense clusters of cut-up loops, and Alfa’s spatialization gives the album a pallor that can resemble brain fog.
    H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • What burning question prompted such a headlong pursuit?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Catastrophizing, making rash decisions and hasty cuts and failing to see the situation clearly just exacerbate the issue.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • There is no rush to do anything hasty to align with Pastrnak’s superstar segment.
    Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Catastrophizing, making rash decisions and hasty cuts and failing to see the situation clearly just exacerbate the issue.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • So unless someone is at high risk for Lyme, the standard advice following a tick bite is to wait and watch for fever, rash or flulike illness over the next 30 days and see a doctor right away if any symptoms appear.
    Kate Wong, Scientific American, 22 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on precipitous

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster