Definition

Adverb: 1. In a very steep or abrupt manner: Describes something that rises or falls with a very sharp, almost vertical incline. 2. Very suddenly and to a great degree: Describes a rapid, dramatic, and often surprising change in state, condition, or degree.

Usage and Examples

• The cliff face dropped precipitously into the raging sea below.
• After the announcement, the company's stock value fell precipitously.
• The path descended precipitously, making the hike very dangerous.
• Tourist numbers have declined precipitously since the political crisis began.

Advanced Usage

• "precipitously high/low": Used to emphasize an extreme level reached suddenly.
  • The country is facing precipitously high levels of inflation.
• "rise/fall/drop/increase/decrease precipitously": The most common verb collocations describing a sudden, sharp change.
  • Public trust in the institution has fallen precipitously.

Variants and Related Words

• Precipitous (adjective): Extremely steep; or, happening very quickly and suddenly.
  • a precipitous decline in sales
  • a precipitous mountain path
• Precipitate (verb): To cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly; to throw someone or something into a particular state.
  • The scandal precipitated his resignation.

Synonyms

• Sharply: In a sudden and pronounced manner.
• Abruptly: Suddenly and unexpectedly.
• Steeply: At a sharp angle or incline.
• Dramatically: In a striking and noticeable way.

Antonyms

• Gradually: In a slow, step-by-step manner.
• Gently: In a mild or gradual manner.
• Slowly: At a low speed or over a long period.

Adverb

1. abruptly; in a precipitous manner
   • the mountains rose precipitously from the shore
2. very suddenly and to a great degree
   • conditions that precipitously increase the birthrate
   • prices rose sharply