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 Voyager's stock price has been in a precipitous decline since then. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 28 July 2025 This time around, Clark was captaining her team from the sidelines, and critics of the league seemed eager to point out the precipitous drop in ratings. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 27 July 2025 All three indices had seen precipitous drops earlier in the day after the news of Powell’s imminent firing broke. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 16 July 2025 In the second half of the 20th century, after Interstate 40 ripped Jefferson Street in two and catalyzed the precipitous decline of the historic Black district, the Tennessee State University marching band began its ascent. Andrea Williams, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
Adjective
  • Some sequences feel hurried, some satirical dialogue is a little too on the nose and a special effect around the climax lacks the polish of the production design elsewhere.
    Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Additionally, hurried or reactive infrastructure development may expose the investor to significant foreign asset reporting and tax burdens (NCTI, for example) that could have been mitigated if a multi-disciplinary framework had been considered.
    Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Aviation resources and hand crews will play a primary role due to steep, rocky terrain and limited dozer access.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The district’s disparate parts would be connected largely by two-lane highways cutting through steep slopes of places such as the Modoc National Forest, where nervous drivers must beware of a lack of guardrails.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In her post, the 27-year-old shares how a rushed layover and a tight schedule turned a simple flight connection into an emotional ordeal.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • However, concerns have been raised by industry stakeholders about a rushed and opaque consultation process, with some fearing prior targets will be watered down.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The condition causes sudden weakness or paralysis in muscles on one side of the face and is, in most cases, temporary, according to the Mayo Clinic.
    Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Reflective self-talk while performing tasks gives you self-regulation and prevents the lightning-fast, reflexive emotional self-talk from making impulsive decisions that lead to errors and mistakes.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Ari is a rich kid from New York, who is an impulsive motormouth desperate for Sam’s affection.
    Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the headlong rush for technological supremacy, strange new risks are being created.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Befitting the down-and-out semis, Analog Devices put up good numbers, causing a headlong rush into internet of things (IoT).
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • These works are what happens when excess sentiment meets shallow conception and hasty commissioning.
    Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
  • As the announcer remarks upon how the normally meticulous and unflappable Haines is playing with an uncommon aggression, Hitchcock’s urgent camerawork and rapid cuts show Guy, pressed for time and needing to make a hasty exit, playing at a pace that would give Rafael Nadal an aneurysm.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Symptoms of Chagas disease include fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, rash, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and eyelid swelling.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Getty Images If those running Ohio State’s program had done something rash, like fire head coach Ryan Day as some suggested, after the Michigan loss, there’s likely no way the team would have rallied to win the title.
    Don Yaeger, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on precipitous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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