precipitate 1 of 3

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
An additional factor that has been increasingly in the mix is that old and deteriorating dam infrastructure can fail amidst excessive rainfall events and precipitate catastrophic flooding. Sarah Raza, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023 Those updates references – and the series of chases, Rube Goldberg mechanisms, and bits of derring-do they all precipitate – also allowed the filmmaking to push their formal boundaries. Ben Croll, Variety, 14 June 2023
Noun
The actor John Maria Gutierrez, even when disguised as a white businessman in a full-face mask, turns precipitate falls into rolls and handstands; the elegant Marcus McGregor, who danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and Feld Ballet, demonstrates the cautious poise of a fawn. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 Could that aforementioned depth precipitate more 4-3 looks this year? Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Aug. 2023
Verb
At the time of the Ukrainian retreat from Kursk last week—a departure precipitated by an elite Russian drone group deploying to the oblast and bombarding Ukraine’s main supply line—Ukrainian tankers had already achieved local tank superiority in some areas. David Axe, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 President Xi’s Communist Party understands how the Plaza deal precipitated Japan’s asset bubble in the late 1980s, leading to decades of stagnation. William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for precipitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for precipitate
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • The Webb telescope observations could have occurred by chance or could be the result of previously unknown chemical processes at work on K2-18b.
    George Petras, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Friday’s result provided further clarity on the Heat’s draft pick situation.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Curiosity has traveled over 21 miles from its landing site since 2012, and has obtained multiple drill site samples from layers of Martian sediment beneath it.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2025
  • And the Hayman fire ripped through the forest surrounding much of Denver Water’s southern system — which supplies approximately 80% of the utility’s water — sending tons of sediment into pipes and reservoirs and making water delivery difficult.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The point of such ordinances is not to rain on your fun but rather to preserve historic infrastructure or landmarks, ensure public health and safety, or protect the community peace.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Not to rain on anyone’s hair care parade, but even the best conditioners for thinning hair won’t spur magical regrowth where there wasn’t any before.
    Sara Coughlin, SELF, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Show how data from customers/employees contributes to product innovations; present plans for sharing resultant value. 2.
    James Felton Keith, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Finally, the resultant structure was coated in potassium hydroxide, which washes away less stable structures and leaves behind thousands of microscopic pores.
    Michael Franco, New Atlas, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The Texas Supreme Court said in November that Paxton would not have to sit for a deposition in the lawsuit — another win for the attorney general, who has managed to avoid testifying about the corruption allegations through the civil lawsuit, his impeachment trial and the federal investigation.
    Kayla Guo, ProPublica, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Details of those incidents — including the discipline Moulton received — were gleaned from depositions and other court filings from a lawsuit against the city by a man who was injured in one of the crashes.
    Cristóbal Reyes, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Sunlight poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows, with panoramic views of the ocean outside, and flowers adorned tables.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Messages of support poured in for Biggs, including from his gubernatorial primary opponent, Karrin Taylor Robson.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Children are typically brought to the hospital after having the body rash for several days.
    Emily Baumgaertner Nunn, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Later in the episode, it’s slowly revealed that the groom and the bride also have the ringworm rash.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Precipitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/precipitate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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