precipitous
adjective
pre·cip·i·tous
pri-ˈsi-pə-təs 
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
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
Only 17% of Americans have any optimism about the future of the Democratic Party, according to an Associated Press poll this month, a precipitous decline from the 31% who felt that way about a year ago.
—
Susan Page, USA Today, 20 May 2025
At the head of the Royal Mile, which connects the former fortress to the King’s Palace of Holyroodhouse at its eastern end, Edinburgh Castle has been perched atop its precipitous rock since the 1100s.
—Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 20 May 2025
Which is why it's been hard to witness the precipitous decline of one of its most talented players, Kris Bryant.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
After the precipitous drop in April, Tesla’s sales are down 1% through the first four months of the year.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
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Susan Page, USA Today, 20 May 2025
At the head of the Royal Mile, which connects the former fortress to the King’s Palace of Holyroodhouse at its eastern end, Edinburgh Castle has been perched atop its precipitous rock since the 1100s.
—Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 20 May 2025
Which is why it's been hard to witness the precipitous decline of one of its most talented players, Kris Bryant.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
After the precipitous drop in April, Tesla’s sales are down 1% through the first four months of the year.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitous
Cite this Entry
“Precipitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precipitous. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
precipitous
adjective
pre·cip·i·tous
pri-ˈsip-ət-əs
1
: showing unwise and unnecessary haste : rash
a precipitous act
2
: steep like a precipice
a precipitous slope
precipitously
adverb
precipitousness
noun
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