precipitously

An adverb meaning "very steeply," "abruptly," or "in a sudden and dramatic manner." It can describe a physical steep drop (e.g., a cliff) or a figurative sudden change (e.g., a decline in value or a hasty decision made without careful thought).

• 🇪🇸Adverbio que significa «muy abruptamente», «de repente» o «de manera marcada y dramática». Puede describir un descenso físico muy empinado (como un acantilado) o un cambio repentino en sentido figurado (como una caída de valor o una decisión apresurada tomada sin pensarlo mucho).

1. Steeply or sharply C1 formal

   In a way that is very steep or vertical.

   • The cliff dropped precipitously into the ocean.
   • The path descended precipitously through the mountain pass.
   • The terrain rose precipitously ahead of them.

   🇪🇸de manera abrupta o vertical

   Sinónimos: abruptlysharplysteeplyvertically

   Antónimos: gentlygradually

2. Suddenly or abruptly C1 formal

   In a way that happens very quickly and unexpectedly.

   • The stock market fell precipitously after the announcement.
   • Her health declined precipitously over the winter.
   • The temperature dropped precipitously overnight.

   🇪🇸de repente, abruptamente

   Sinónimos: abruptlyhastilyprecipitatelysuddenlyunexpectedly

   Antónimos: gradually

3. Hastily or rashly C2 formal

   In a way that is done too quickly without careful thought.

   • He acted precipitously without considering the consequences.
   • She resigned precipitously after the disagreement.
   • The decision was made precipitously, leading to many problems.

   🇪🇸precipitadamente

   Sinónimos: carelesslyhastilyheedlesslyimpetuouslyimpulsivelyrashlythoughtlessly

   Antónimos: carefullycautiouslydeliberatelyprudentlythoughtfully

• more precipitously comparative form
• most precipitously superlative form