as in hastily
with excessive or careless speed
the sight of swimmers exiting the water precipitously when some joker shouted "Shark!"
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Recent Examples of precipitously
In addition to rampant inflation, goods shortages, and a crumbling labor market, the liquid reserves held in Russia’s National Wealth Fund continue to decline precipitously, down to approximately $35 billion from $117 billion three years ago.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent studies show Arizona's Christian population has dropped precipitously from 71% in 2007 to 58% in 2024.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The Palestinian issue was falling precipitously in the global order of priorities for many years prior to October 7th.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
This year, though, that number dropped precipitously, amounting to just 218 million bushels during the first eight months of 2025.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Even when the Malaise Era hit in the 1970s and a combination of an oil crisis and pollution-fighting policies saw horsepower drop precipitously, the luxury coupe couldn’t be stopped.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025
There is only a 30 percent probability of Connor offering surplus value at that price; there’s even a chance Connor’s game falls off precipitously in his mid-30s.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Their argument is based on the fact that gold (a common central bank asset) and Bitcoin have both risen precipitously in price over the last few years.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
The number of hopeful Gator fans left in The Swamp had drained precipitously in past weeks.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent studies show Arizona's Christian population has dropped precipitously from 71% in 2007 to 58% in 2024.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
The Palestinian issue was falling precipitously in the global order of priorities for many years prior to October 7th.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
This year, though, that number dropped precipitously, amounting to just 218 million bushels during the first eight months of 2025.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Even when the Malaise Era hit in the 1970s and a combination of an oil crisis and pollution-fighting policies saw horsepower drop precipitously, the luxury coupe couldn’t be stopped.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2025
There is only a 30 percent probability of Connor offering surplus value at that price; there’s even a chance Connor’s game falls off precipitously in his mid-30s.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Their argument is based on the fact that gold (a common central bank asset) and Bitcoin have both risen precipitously in price over the last few years.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
The number of hopeful Gator fans left in The Swamp had drained precipitously in past weeks.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitously
Adverb
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The revelation that the tattoo had been hastily covered up is just the latest bizarre twist that the high-stakes Senate race had taken in just the past 10 days.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
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On July 7, 1971, Courson and a few others hastily buried Morrison in a place he was said to have loved, Père Lachaise, before going public.—
David Kushner,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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But as rumors swirled that the gang was on its way to launch another assault, merchants in the market could be seen hurriedly packing their goods.—
Ychmuth Corneille,
Miami Herald,
21 Sep. 2025
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Book influencers and everyday readers lined up hurriedly to take photos with Aster and get their manuscripts signed.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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After attending the Bluebird show, Walker Hayes impulsively invited McAnally to join him on his fall tour.—
Nancy Kruh,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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After a dust-up with Ted over the local grocery store’s adherence to the state’s mask mandate, Joe impulsively announces his rival candidacy for mayor of Eddington, and tensions eventually boil over to the point of deadly violence.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precipitously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitously. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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