precipitous

[ pri-sip-i-tuhs ]

adjective

1. of the nature of or characterized by precipices:

   a precipitous wall of rock.

   Antonyms: level, flat

2. extremely or impassably steep:

   precipitous mountain trails.

   Synonyms: perpendicular, sheer, abrupt

   Antonyms: level, flat

3. precipitate.

precipitous

/ prɪˈsɪpɪtəs /

adjective

1. resembling a precipice or characterized by precipices
2. very steep
3. hasty or precipitate

Usage

The use of precipitous to mean hasty is thought by some people to be incorrect

Derived Forms

• preˈcipitousness, noun
• preˈcipitously, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·cipi·tous·ly adverb
• pre·cipi·tous·ness noun
• unpre·cipi·tous adjective
• unpre·cipi·tous·ly adverb
• unpre·cipi·tous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of precipitous¹

1640–50; < obsolete French précipiteux; precipitate, -ous

Example Sentences

In recent weeks, with polls tight and the prospect of a second Trump term looming, shares of Trump Media have massively rebounded from a precipitous fall.

From Los Angeles Times

This is a seismic development, even if it has felt like it has been coming for a while, such has been McLaren’s run of form, and Red Bull’s precipitous tumble from their pedestal.

From BBC

During the decade prior to the deadly disruption of COVID, the National Center for Education Statistics recorded a precipitous decline of nearly 30% in students majoring in liberal arts and humanities.

From Los Angeles Times

An introspective Armie Hammer laughed about the cannibalism allegations that were leveled against him during his precipitous fall from grace after he faced a brutalizing series of sexual misconduct allegations.

From Los Angeles Times

Authors’ earnings have been in precipitous decline for more than a decade.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abrupt
• dizzying
• sharp