precipitously
With sudden steepness
Precipitously means steeply or abruptly, like a precipice.
A cliff drops precipitously; so does a stock price that plunges without warning.
The word emphasizes both the steepness of descent and the suddenness: Housing values fell precipitously during the crash.
Sometimes used loosely to mean hastily or rashly, though this sense draws criticism from careful writers.
Rapid downward descent
- nosediveSudden steep descent
- freefallUnimpeded downward motion
- crashSudden violent impact
- collapseSudden structural failure
plunge · tumble · drop · slump · spiral · downturn · depreciate · tank
Vertical rock wall
- escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations
- ledgeProjecting horizontal surface
- overhangSection projecting beyond support
- gorgeDeep, narrow valley
ravine · bluff · crag · rockface · chasm · vertiginous · sheer · dropoff
Sharp and unexpected
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- swiftMoving with speed
- rapidMoving with haste
- instantaneousHappening without any delay
unexpected · unforeseen · startling · overnight · meteoric · hasty · immediate · quick
plummet
Rapid downward descent
collapse · plunge · tumble · drop · slump · spiral · downturn · depreciate · tank · crater
cliff
Vertical rock wall
- escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations
- ledgeProjecting horizontal surface
- overhangSection projecting beyond support
gorge · ravine · bluff · crag · rockface · chasm · vertiginous · sheer · dropoff · abyss
abrupt
Sharp and unexpected
instantaneous · unexpected · unforeseen · startling · overnight · meteoric · hasty · immediate · quick · flash
reckless
Carelessly ignoring danger
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- imprudentLacking careful forethought
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
headlong · impetuous · careless · foolhardy · ill-considered · unwise · brash · heedless · incautious · thoughtless
precipitouslygradually
In slow stages
slowly · incrementally · progressively · steadily · leisurely
precipitouslydeliberately
Done with intention
cautiously · carefully · circumspectly · calculatingly · prudently