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

Other Word Forms

• precipitously adverb
• precipitousness noun
• unprecipitous adjective
• unprecipitously adverb
• unprecipitousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of precipitous¹

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

Example Sentences

Annual inflation has come down to just below 12%, and the currency, the kwacha, has recently strengthened following a precipitous decline in the early years of the Hichilema presidency.

Read more on BBC

Some import data has been revised since Whirlpool raised the issue, but the company said it still shows “precipitous drops in valuations.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some researchers have clocked precipitous drops in the recidivism rate, as this metric is called, because of educational progress and its connection to landing a good job.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His mental decline is precipitous, undeniable and dangerous.

Read more on Salon

With the precipitous drop in migrant crossings at the southern U.S. border, the drones are now tasked with fewer missions.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abrupt 
• dizzying 
• sharp