1
as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
soon regretted our precipitous actions in international affairs
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2
as in steep
having an incline approaching the perpendicular
a precipitous ski slope that fully merits its triple diamond designation
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Recent Examples of precipitous
The Twins’ precipitous fall continued with a 3-5 trip through Cleveland and Boston.
—
Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 Mar. 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
The drop has been precipitous, too.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Dan Hayes, New York Times, 27 Mar. 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
The drop has been precipitous, too.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitous
Adjective
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The German foreign minister flew to the United States on February 2 and returned to Europe the same night in a hurried effort to convince Baker of the need for a nonexpansion pledge to secure German unification.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Apr. 2025
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Ryan Kalkbrenner blocked Troy D’Amico’s attempt at a winning 3-pointer in the final seconds, Isaiah Rivera missed a hurried 3 just before the buzzer and the Bluejays had forced overtime with an improbable comeback.—
Mike Fitzpatrick,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This gorgeous option has distressed floral medallions that look lived-in for vintage charm, all without a steep price point.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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The requirements for that are steep and include proving either your parent or grandparent was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Several conditions may cause sudden vision loss, such as an eye injury.—
Heidi Cope,
Health,
19 Apr. 2025
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All of a sudden, something that was a huge source of joy in my grandparents’ life became a challenge.—
Katie Akin,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Research shows that suicide tends to be a fairly impulsive act during short-term crises.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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Research shows that those who score higher in emotional intelligence are less impulsive and better able to persist through difficult tasks.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While no supporter — surely — would swap any of that frenetic, headlong decade for Tottenham’s inert version of stability, glory becomes addictive.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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This endless, headlong energy can produce a caffeinated buzz that rises to the brain on little prickling bubbles of enjoyment.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The climactic battle feels hasty in the moment, but dragging it out any longer — or worse, having to make everyone recite the usual vampire-killing rules — would have been duller than elevator music.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
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On the dark side, however, this can often lead to hasty decision-making, overly blunt communication or worse, jumping to conclusions.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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An arrest warrant was obtained for Lacy for negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Torres is charged with arson and reckless endangerment, according to the FDNY.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitous. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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