precipitate 1 of 3

Definition of precipitatenext

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
Some summertime seeding occurs in clouds that would not normally precipitate. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025 Cancer can both aggravate and precipitate mental illness. Simar Bajaj, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
The new high-pressure acid leaching smelter will produce 66,000 tons of nickel in mixed hydroxide precipitate each year when completed, using nickel ore from Vale Indonesia’s mines. Yessar Rosendar, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025 While the faithful typically congregate in St. Peter's Square daily during the conclave, the public signal that a pontiff has been chosen precipitates a surge of observers rushing to be among the first to see the new pope in person. Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Verb
Another source with knowledge of the investigation said other officers’ actions also are the subject of a wide-ranging inquiry into what precipitated Saturday’s shooting. Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 Iranian strikes have targeted the energy infrastructure of its neighbors and instituted a blockade on the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world's oil and gas was shipped before the war, precipitating the worst energy shock in decades. Katrina Bishop, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for precipitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitate
Adjective
  • Inside an intimate pub, however, filling out the scene with empty tables could distract from the hurried, nervous nature of the filmmaker’s original intent.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
  • Staying there feels like stepping back in time to a less crowded, less hurried version of Italy, where old men gather in front of the church to watch the world go by, and families with little kids enjoy a gelato on the terrace of the cafes on the main square.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • As a result, the central government took drastic steps in 2020 to rein in a freewheeling property sector that once accounted for 30% of the country’s economic activity.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
  • In neighboring Uganda, officials said laboratory results confirmed two cases in the capital of Kampala − including one death − among people traveling from Congo with no apparent link to each other.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • The recent images also reveal layers of Mars' complex geological past across the region, suggesting Shalbatana Vallis may once have been even deeper before gradually filling in with sediments, ash and other material over time.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 15 May 2026
  • The phenomenon, caused by an uncharacteristically low number of tropical storms and hurricanes coupled with unseasonally light offshore winds, allowed sediment to settle closer to the ocean floor and the water to exhibit its true vibrant turquoise color.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • While not raining the entire time, wet weather will be around for a number of hours both days.
    Cutter Martin, CBS News, 19 May 2026
  • Haterade rained down on Spotify‘s 20th birthday party celebratory disco-ball icon.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Little emphasized the need to ease property taxes in a letter accompanying his signature but criticized Moyle’s approach as rushed and overly complex.
    Mark Dee March 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • One potential drawback of the proposal for higher tuition rates could be a resultant drop in enrollment levels of nonresident students.
    Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
  • The resultant musical needed greater expansion of character, a gentler, simpler touch, a better sense of authentic teenage angst and a deeper focus on the heart.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Its equipment specializes in thin-film deposition, which is the process of coating thin-film (atomic level) layers of chemicals onto a surface, such as a silicon wafer or glass substrate.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
  • Coleman’s deposition, meanwhile, sheds new light on the investigation and on how cocaine is moved from The Bahamas into the United States, with South Florida — particularly Miami — serving as a key transit point.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Bar staff are dancing atop a column attempting to pour champagne down a woman’s throat.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 May 2026
  • Security camera footage showed people pouring flammable material on the mosque and at least two vehicles, said Sabir Shalash, the head of Jibiya’s municipal council.
    Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitate. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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