1
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
soon regretted our precipitous actions in international affairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in steep
having an incline approaching the perpendicular
a precipitous ski slope that fully merits its triple diamond designation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 opportunity to tip into these precipitous, technical venues was most certainly a tantalizing patrol perk.
—
Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
Neither player is at his peak, but neither has had a precipitous fall-off, either.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
The precipitous decline couldn’t be explained by the generational losses of the captive era alone.
—Kelso Harper, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The Chicago Bears had a rather precipitous drop in Week 14 after losing to the Green Bay Packers 28-21 at Lambeau Field.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Outside, 18 Dec. 2025
Neither player is at his peak, but neither has had a precipitous fall-off, either.
—Peter Baugh, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
The precipitous decline couldn’t be explained by the generational losses of the captive era alone.
—Kelso Harper, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
The Chicago Bears had a rather precipitous drop in Week 14 after losing to the Green Bay Packers 28-21 at Lambeau Field.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
Adjective
-
Stidham got off a hurried pass into the flat, but Patriots safety Craig Woodson was there and nearly picked it off.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Florina Guerrero maneuvers around Taqueria San Miguel taking orders at a hurried clip.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
On the continental shelf, these areas are located in shallower waters rich in nutrients, often associated with colder waters and steep seabed slopes that bring food to the surface.—
Rodrigo Tardin,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Shop steep sales on quilts, duvet covers, and more cozy bedroom essentials.—
Jamie Fischer,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
May 21 – June 20 Steady, thoughtful sentences are your friend — skip the rushed word vomit!—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Gemini May 21 – June 20 Steady, thoughtful sentences are your friend — skip the rushed word vomit!—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Loose, fast, and slightly jerky steps, a sudden joy sweeping through the body like a wind.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This design helps prevent the air from escaping during sudden movements or changes in orientation.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The difference between decisive and impulsive is data.—
Christopher DiLella,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2026
-
In hindsight, the whole process was impulsive.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The study, conceived by Karen Froud and published last year, was the first of its kind and should have jolted policymakers and publishers alike into questioning the headlong rush away from print, even as reading scores continue to plummet nationwide.—
John R. MacArthur,
Air Mail,
8 Nov. 2025
-
At Houlihan Lokey, Swain persists in the headlong roundelay of networking that’s his calling card.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Clashes between protesters and federal agents have at times led to hasty arrests and charges, leading some cases to crumble under court scrutiny or be voluntarily dismissed by government prosecutors after more evidence emerges.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
-
With Warsh still well in the mix, some analysts also think the market's move away from National Economic Council (NEC) director Kevin Hassett is at least too hasty.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The result of such rash maneuvers can only be a general slackening of standards.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
One rash decision changes the course of his life.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
