more precipitous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more precipitous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is steeper or more abrupt in nature, often in reference to slopes, changes, or declines. Example: "The trail became more precipitous as we approached the summit, making it challenging to navigate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wayne's descent is even more precipitous.

The Guardian - Film

His fall could hardly have been more precipitous.

The New York Times

That was more precipitous than the collapse in America that followed the dotcom bust in 2000.

The Economist

But already, there are signs that the decline will be even more precipitous.

The New York Times

The path became more precipitous, requiring us to pull ourselves up by hand in several places.

The New York Times - Travel

The decline in the breakfast show's total listening hours was even more precipitous.

The Guardian

(In the private sector, the decline has been even more precipitous).

The New Yorker

In Libya's case, the surge is a bounce-back from an even more precipitous slump while war raged.

The Economist

His fall was even more precipitous than Ortiz's, although Ortiz may eventually wish he had only suffered some broken bones.

The New York Times

Among New York men, the decline is even more precipitous: 62percentt in 1996, but only 43percentthis yearar.

The New York Times

Mr. Ovitz's fall has been far more precipitous than his rise, which began in the late 1960's.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more precipitous", ensure the context clearly establishes what is becoming steeper or more rapidly declining. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "more precipitous" to describe slight or gradual changes. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving sharp, dramatic shifts or declines.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more precipitous" functions as a comparative adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a greater degree of steepness or suddenness in a decline or change. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more precipitous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in English, serving as a comparative adjective to emphasize a sharper or more rapid decline. According to Ludwig, it is most often found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a degree of formality. While alternatives like "steeper" or "more rapid" exist, "more precipitous" uniquely highlights both the severity and suddenness of the change. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations involving dramatic shifts to ensure accuracy and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steeper

Focuses solely on the increased gradient or angle of a slope or decline.

sharper

Emphasizes the abruptness and intensity of a change or decline.

more abrupt

Highlights the suddenness and unexpected nature of a change.

more rapid

Focuses on the increased speed or pace of a decline or change.

quicker

Similar to 'more rapid', but emphasizes speed in a more general sense.

faster

A more direct synonym for 'more rapid', focusing on increased speed.

more accelerated

Emphasizes the increasing rate of change or decline.

more sudden

Highlights the unexpected and immediate nature of a change.

more headlong

Suggests a reckless or uncontrolled descent or decline.

more downhill

Informal way to describe something decreasing rapidly

FAQs

How can I use "more precipitous" in a sentence?

Use "more precipitous" to describe a sharp or steep decline. For example, "The company experienced a "more precipitous drop" in profits after the new regulations were implemented."

What's a good alternative to saying "more precipitous"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "steeper", "sharper", or "more rapid" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "more precipitous" to describe a gradual change?

While grammatically correct, using "more precipitous" for gradual changes can be misleading. This phrase implies a sudden and dramatic shift, so it's best reserved for such scenarios.

What is the difference between "more precipitous" and "steeper"?

"Steeper" generally refers to physical gradients, while "more precipitous" can describe both physical and abstract declines or changes. "More precipitous" suggests a more sudden and dramatic change than simply "steeper".