precipitate 1 of 3

precipitate

2 of 3

noun

precipitate

3 of 3

verb

as in to rain
to fall as water in a continuous stream of drops from the clouds the air mass was dry, as much of the moisture had precipitated out on the other side of the mountains

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective precipitate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of precipitate are abrupt, headlong, impetuous, and sudden. While all these words mean "showing undue haste or unexpectedness," precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action.

the army's precipitate withdrawal

When is it sensible to use abrupt instead of precipitate?

Although the words abrupt and precipitate have much in common, abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony.

an abrupt refusal

When is headlong a more appropriate choice than precipitate?

While the synonyms headlong and precipitate are close in meaning, headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought.

a headlong flight from arrest

When would impetuous be a good substitute for precipitate?

The words impetuous and precipitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness.

an impetuous lover proposing marriage

When can sudden be used instead of precipitate?

The meanings of sudden and precipitate largely overlap; however, sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action.

flew into a sudden rage

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 precipitate
Adjective
An additional factor that has been increasingly in the mix is that old and deteriorating dam infrastructure can fail amidst excessive rainfall events and precipitate catastrophic flooding. Sarah Raza, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023 Those updates references – and the series of chases, Rube Goldberg mechanisms, and bits of derring-do they all precipitate – also allowed the filmmaking to push their formal boundaries. Ben Croll, Variety, 14 June 2023
Noun
The actor John Maria Gutierrez, even when disguised as a white businessman in a full-face mask, turns precipitate falls into rolls and handstands; the elegant Marcus McGregor, who danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Feld Ballet, demonstrates the cautious poise of a fawn. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 Could that aforementioned depth precipitate more 4-3 looks this year? Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Aug. 2023
Verb
The documentary, which was filmed over four years between 2019 and 2023, wrapped production just days before Hamas launched its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, precipitating the ongoing war. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 3 Mar. 2025 This sudden violence precipitates a few things, which include an obsessive mental spiral on Addie’s part. Willing Davidson, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precipitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitate
Adjective
  • This comes as the Trump administration has faced growing criticisms for its hurried proceedings to remove as many noncitizens from the country as quickly as possible.
    Alana Wise, NPR, 26 Apr. 2025
  • In Alentejo, food is meant to be shared, and time at the table is never hurried, and this is a central element of the experience at São Lourenço do Barrocal.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Friday’s result provided further clarity on the Heat’s draft pick situation.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The Webb telescope observations could have occurred by chance or could be the result of previously unknown chemical processes at work on K2-18b.
    George Petras, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Curiosity has traveled over 21 miles from its landing site since 2012, and has obtained multiple drill site samples from layers of Martian sediment beneath it.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2025
  • And the Hayman fire ripped through the forest surrounding much of Denver Water’s southern system — which supplies approximately 80% of the utility’s water — sending tons of sediment into pipes and reservoirs and making water delivery difficult.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Boos rained down from the rafters as if the Las Vegas Raiders blew a playoff game.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The Killing Spree Over the next three days, the armed groups rained terror across Baniyas.
    Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Show how data from customers/employees contributes to product innovations; present plans for sharing resultant value. 2.
    James Felton Keith, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Finally, the resultant structure was coated in potassium hydroxide, which washes away less stable structures and leaves behind thousands of microscopic pores.
    Michael Franco, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The finale features Dan's passionate support of his dead wife during a deposition for a lawsuit against the opioid company.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • An attorney for the governor, Scott Eckersley, later said in a deposition that Martin tried to block the release of government emails and told employees to delete their messages.
    Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Messages of support poured in for Biggs, including from his gubernatorial primary opponent, Karrin Taylor Robson.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Sunlight poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows, with panoramic views of the ocean outside, and flowers adorned tables.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Symptoms of the viral infection include high fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, and rash, according to the CDC.
    Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Shingles can cause years of severe pain in some people who contract the virus and even blindness if the shingles rash appears on the face.
    Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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