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 Will there be a precipitous dropoff for Brian St. Pierre’s group? Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 1 Sep. 2025 All of this costly, but even more costly for MP Materials has been the precipitous decline in rare earth prices over the past couple of years, which has hit the bottom line hard. John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 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 The region dominated America’s iron and steel production before its precipitous decline as companies failed to adopt new technologies, says Chris Briem, an economist at the University of Pittsburgh. Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
Adjective
  • Foster’s hurried firing on Sunday morning comes after his hurried hiring in February 2024, his placement a band-aid one week after Chip Kelly bolted to be offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The Chiefs blitzed just to force a hurried throw from Hurts.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Similar protests occurred in Brazil over steep living costs and poor healthcare and education ahead of the country hosting the 2014 World Cup tournament.
    Connor Greene, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • This figure marks a steep decline from last year’s already historic low of 31%, and continues a nearly five-decade slide from the high of 68% recorded in 1972.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These alternatives can often provide a richer, less rushed experience than a whirlwind day trip to Paris.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The Dolphins had two delay-of-game penalties and a rushed play during their unsuccessful final two drives against New England.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To judge from the sudden and rapid infiltration of artificial intelligence into every corner of our daily lives, these wishes are coming true.
    Gary Greenberg, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Stewart-Allen believes Disney’s actions with Kimmel were impulsive.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Susannah was a kindhearted but sometimes impulsive woman.
    Sarah John, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Right fielder Victor Robles, outfitted in two fluorescent armbands and pink cleats, caught the baseball with a headlong dive.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
  • In the headlong rush for technological supremacy, strange new risks are being created.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That multivitamin may seem like armor against a hasty, nutrient-sparse breakfast.
    Matt Fuchs, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Democrats have seized on the reversals as evidence that the cuts were hasty and wasteful.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Specifically, individuals may develop gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea; rash; chest pain; as well as bleeding from the eyes, mouth, nose and rectum.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Burnt out and fed up with her untameable class of 10-year-olds, Maria tussles with an increasingly naughty student, Danny (played wonderfully by young newcomer Eddie Waller), and makes a rash decision to keep him captive in her basement.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

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