precipitous

adjective

pre·​cip·​i·​tous pri-ˈsi-pə-təs How to pronounce precipitous (audio)
Synonyms of precipitous
1
: precipitate sense 2
2
a
: very steep, perpendicular, or overhanging in rise or fall
a precipitous slope
b
: having precipitous sides
a precipitous gorge
c
: having a very steep ascent
a precipitous street
precipitously adverb
precipitousness noun

Synonyms of precipitous

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steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular.

steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

a steep hill
a steep dive

abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level.

a beach with an abrupt drop-off

precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical.

the river winds through a precipitous gorge

sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse.

sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

Examples of precipitous in a Sentence

There has been a precipitous decline in home sales recently. People were shocked by his precipitous fall from political power.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Since then, the hangout sitcom has suffered a precipitous decline. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026 In the seven days since its release on YouTube, the first episode of Great American Road Trip has gained only about 20 thousand views, with a precipitous drop as the series goes on (five thousand views for episode six). — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 The bank run in Russia may not be as dramatic or precipitous. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026 These figures also say something about the precipitous fall of ARC in addition to the resilience of Destiny 2. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for precipitous

Word History

Etymology

French précipiteux, from Middle French, from Latin precipitium precipice

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of precipitous was in 1612

Rhymes for precipitous

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Browse Nearby Words

precipitious
precipitous
precipitously
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Cite this Entry

“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precipitous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

precipitous

adjective
pre·​cip·​i·​tous pri-ˈsip-ət-əs How to pronounce precipitous (audio)
1
: showing unwise and unnecessary haste : rash
a precipitous act
2
: steep like a precipice
a precipitous slope
precipitously adverb
precipitousness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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