1
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
soon regretted our precipitous actions in international affairs
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2
as in steep
having an incline approaching the perpendicular
a precipitous ski slope that fully merits its triple diamond designation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of precipitous
Like many party leaders, Walz has spent time since his election loss trying to sift through what exactly caused such a precipitous defeat.
—
Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Only 17% of Americans have any optimism about the future of the Democratic Party, according to an Associated Press poll this month, a precipitous decline from the 31% who felt that way about a year ago.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 20 May 2025
At the head of the Royal Mile, which connects the former fortress to the King’s Palace of Holyroodhouse at its eastern end, Edinburgh Castle has been perched atop its precipitous rock since the 1100s.
—Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 20 May 2025
Which is why it's been hard to witness the precipitous decline of one of its most talented players, Kris Bryant.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
Only 17% of Americans have any optimism about the future of the Democratic Party, according to an Associated Press poll this month, a precipitous decline from the 31% who felt that way about a year ago.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 20 May 2025
At the head of the Royal Mile, which connects the former fortress to the King’s Palace of Holyroodhouse at its eastern end, Edinburgh Castle has been perched atop its precipitous rock since the 1100s.
—Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 20 May 2025
Which is why it's been hard to witness the precipitous decline of one of its most talented players, Kris Bryant.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
Adjective
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Yet in spite of its rather hurried origins, it’s gone on to become a General Motors success story in the quarter-century since it was created.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
17 June 2025
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And the hurried pace of the deportations has ignored due process, experts and advocates say.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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If that happens, expect a sharp reset in valuations, a spike in bond yields, and a steep correction in the S&P 500.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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California Governor Gavin Newsom faces a steep uphill battle against former Vice President Kamala Harris in a potential 2028 Democratic Presidential Primary matchup, according to a new poll.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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In that light, the sudden uptick in volatility is not a surprise.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
18 June 2025
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Medical emergencies can also lead to sudden itinerary changes.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Written and directed by documentarian Brian Tetsuro Ivie (Emanuel) in his narrative directorial debut, the film tells the story of an impulsive young woman and a reclusive older man who launch on a poignant cross‑country road trip.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
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Unfortunately, impulsive, inventory-optimization metric chasing often soothes symptoms while elevating strategic risk.—
Noah Barsky,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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This momentary pause, this saving interruption of the headlong, breathless trajectory of rape or murder, admitted a kind of compassion, pity, even tenderness, halting injustice in its tracks.—
Sarah Beckwith,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
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But swirling around it are immigration restrictions, headlong and haphazard reductions in Federal spending and a separate but related confidence shock weighing on consumer behavior.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Democrats also spoke of the need to protect U.S. personnel and civilians in the region, cautioning against a hasty escalation that could endanger American lives.—
Amanda Castro
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
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Crisp, curly hair indicates a hasty, somewhat impetuous and rash character.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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In Ron DeSantis’ Florida, there’s no room for rash criticism of that policy.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2025
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The Dodgers stormed back once again from a deficit, this time at home at Dodger Stadium, scoring four runs in the sixth inning to knock off the Yankees, 8-5, in the first of a three-game set that’ll draw more rash reactions than are probably warranted.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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People often stereotype crypto investors as reckless, young, or greedy.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
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In Colorado, reckless endangerment is a crime, defined as reckless conduct creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person, punishable by jail and/or a fine.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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