precipitous
6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for precipitous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Very steep, like the edge of a cliff.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Very steep, like the edge of a cliff.
“When the wind is in the right direction, hang-gliders launch themselves giddily into space from the precipitous bank.”
Opposites
Etymology
Came from obsolete French précipiteux, from Vulgar Latin *praecipitōsus, from praeceps, praecipit- (“precipice”) plus -ōsus (“-ful, -ous”), from prae- (“before”) and caput (“head”). It is equivalent to precipice (“steep cliff, brink”) plus -ous.
Full origin of precipitous →