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).

• 🇨🇳副词，表示“非常陡峭地”，也指“突然地”或“急剧而戏剧性地”。可描述物理上的陡坡（如悬崖），也可用于比喻突然的变化（如价格暴跌或未经深思的仓促决定）。

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.

   🇨🇳陡峭地

   同义词: abruptlysharplysteeplyvertically

   反义词: 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.

   🇨🇳突然地

   同义词: abruptlyhastilyprecipitatelysuddenlyunexpectedly

   反义词: 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.

   🇨🇳轻率地

   同义词: carelesslyhastilyheedlesslyimpetuouslyimpulsivelyrashlythoughtlessly

   反义词: carefullycautiouslydeliberatelyprudentlythoughtfully

• more precipitously comparative form
• most precipitously superlative form