precipice
noun
prec·i·pice ˈpre-s(ə-)pəs 
1
: a very steep or overhanging place
2
: a hazardous situation
broadly : brink
Synonyms
- barranca
- barranco
- bluff
- cliff
- crag
- escarpment
- palisade
- scar
- scarp
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Twenty years ago, it seemed unlikely that black and white South Africans could avoid a cataclysmic struggle. How did we manage to turn back from the precipice and join one another in the long walk to a nonracial democracy? 
F. W. De Klerk, Time, 18 Apr. 2005 These are the brave, friendly guys and gals who flip, twist, spin and somersault themselves backward into the sky and somehow land on a horrifyingly steep precipice without rearranging their rib cages or breaking their faces. Curry Kirkpatrick, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 1994 … the helpless Cambodians were bused from the safety of a refugee camp to an outcropping along the border several hundred miles to the northeast, where they were forced over the precipice into a wild and inaccessible part of Cambodia from which it would be almost impossible to return to Thailand. Barbara Crossette, New York Times Book Review, 2 Aug. 1987 He stood on the edge of the precipice. scaled the steep precipice with the ease of an experienced climber
F. W. De Klerk, Time, 18 Apr. 2005 These are the brave, friendly guys and gals who flip, twist, spin and somersault themselves backward into the sky and somehow land on a horrifyingly steep precipice without rearranging their rib cages or breaking their faces. Curry Kirkpatrick, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 1994 … the helpless Cambodians were bused from the safety of a refugee camp to an outcropping along the border several hundred miles to the northeast, where they were forced over the precipice into a wild and inaccessible part of Cambodia from which it would be almost impossible to return to Thailand. Barbara Crossette, New York Times Book Review, 2 Aug. 1987 He stood on the edge of the precipice. scaled the steep precipice with the ease of an experienced climber Recent Examples on the Web This book, McEwan says, is informed by his sense that humanity is on the precipice of a major shift. Connor Goodwin, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Here are three thoughts on the Patriots on the precipice of the regular season, starting with the mental state of Mac Jones: 1. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Inflation is at a 40-year high, interest rates are rising, the price of oil is driving gas prices north of $5 a gallon, there is war overseas, and the stock market feels like it’s teetering on the edge of a precipice. Juan Carlos Medina, Forbes, 12 July 2022 For a brief moment in the weeks before the primary, Caruso appeared on the precipice of a potential political tidal wave, with whispers that a 50+1 outright primary victory might even be in reach for the first-time candidate. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2022 With the Chicago Cubs headed into town for a three-game series and Milwaukee still in the playoff hunt, Milwaukee would usually be on the precipice of three weekend sellouts. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2022 After more than 16 months of start-and-stop negotiations through intermediaries, this progress is noteworthy, as both sides appear to be on the precipice of an agreement for the first time since the early months of 2022. Shannon K. Crawford, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2022 Now Gamm’s on the precipice of attempting this spark plug replacement in upcoming clinical trials. Connie Chang Chinchio, Popular Mechanics, 25 Aug. 2022 What unites them now—and continues to keep them together—is a passionate antagonism for Donald Trump, and a sincere worry that American democracy is on the precipice of dissolution. Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 17 Aug. 2022 See More
Connor Goodwin, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 Here are three thoughts on the Patriots on the precipice of the regular season, starting with the mental state of Mac Jones: 1. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Inflation is at a 40-year high, interest rates are rising, the price of oil is driving gas prices north of $5 a gallon, there is war overseas, and the stock market feels like it’s teetering on the edge of a precipice. Juan Carlos Medina, Forbes, 12 July 2022 For a brief moment in the weeks before the primary, Caruso appeared on the precipice of a potential political tidal wave, with whispers that a 50+1 outright primary victory might even be in reach for the first-time candidate. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2022 With the Chicago Cubs headed into town for a three-game series and Milwaukee still in the playoff hunt, Milwaukee would usually be on the precipice of three weekend sellouts. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2022 After more than 16 months of start-and-stop negotiations through intermediaries, this progress is noteworthy, as both sides appear to be on the precipice of an agreement for the first time since the early months of 2022. Shannon K. Crawford, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2022 Now Gamm’s on the precipice of attempting this spark plug replacement in upcoming clinical trials. Connie Chang Chinchio, Popular Mechanics, 25 Aug. 2022 What unites them now—and continues to keep them together—is a passionate antagonism for Donald Trump, and a sincere worry that American democracy is on the precipice of dissolution. Daniel Strauss, The New Republic, 17 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
French, from Middle French, from Latin praecipitium, from praecipit-, praeceps headlong, from prae- + caput head — more at head
First Known Use
1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing precipice
Kids Definition
precipice
noun
prec·i·pice ˈpre-sə-pəs
: a very steep side of a mountain or cliff
precipice
noun
as in cliff
a steep wall of rock, earth, or ice scaled the steep precipice with the ease of an experienced climber Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- cliff
- escarpment
- bluff
- palisade
- crag
- barranca
- scarp
- scar
- barranco
- embankment
- butte
- tor
- cuesta
- hogback
- declivity
- bulwark
- pitch
- drop-off