precipitous

• Décrit quelque chose de dangereusement haut ou escarpé ; s'emploie aussi pour une action soudaine et hâtive.

Describes something that is dangerously high or steep; also used to describe an action that is sudden and hasty.

1. Steep or sheerC1formal

   Extremely steep, like a cliff or a slope.

   à pic, escarpé

   • The hikers carefully descended the precipitous mountain path.
   • The castle was perched on a precipitous cliff overlooking the sea.
   • A precipitous drop of over 500 feet lay just beyond the railing.

   Synonymesabruptbluffdizzyperpendicularsharpsheersteepverticalvertiginous

   Antonymesflatgentlegraduallevel

2. Sudden and dramaticC1formal

   Happening very quickly or abruptly, often with a negative connotation.

   Soudain et dramatique

   • The company experienced a precipitous decline in sales last quarter.
   • There was a precipitous rise in temperatures during the heatwave.
   • His precipitous decision to resign shocked everyone in the office.

   Synonymesabruptrapidsharpsuddenswift

   Antonymesgradualincrementalslow