PRECIPITOUS Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

precipitous

adjective

pri-ˈsi-pə-təs

Definition of precipitous next

as in hurried

acting or done with excessive or careless speed soon regretted our precipitous actions in international affairs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 But the most precipitous drop really occurred upon our swift and effective implementation of the President's proclamation in June of 2024 that restricted the ability of individuals to claim asylum at our southern border. —

Steve Inskeep, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025 Detroit saw a precipitous decline in the number of homicides and shootings in 2024 over the year before, continuing a trend of sliding violent crime since a pandemic-era spike, according to police data presented by city officials Friday. —

Violet Ikonomova, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2025 Other major cities seeing precipitous reductions in homicides this year are New Orleans, down 38%; Washington, D.C., down 29%; Memphis, Tennessee, down 23%; Baltimore, down 24%; Kansas City, Missouri, down 20%; and Los Angeles, down 15%. —

Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024 The Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.06% — tech stocks like Palantir, Advanced Micro Devices and Micro Strategy had a rough day — but that’s still close to the flatline and not a precipitous drop. —

Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for precipitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous

Adjective

Stride can be a little hurried/sway a fair amount in straight lines but great on cuts/edges.

— Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Overhead, a pair of firefighting helicopters circled in constant, hurried laps between the lake and the burning hillsides.

— Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025