precipice Definition
- 1a very steep rock face or cliff, typically a tall one
- 2a point where danger, trouble, or difficulty begins
Using precipice: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "precipice" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The climbers were standing on the edge of a precipice.
Example
The country is on the precipice of economic collapse.
Example
The company is on the precipice of bankruptcy.
Example
She felt like she was standing on the precipice of a nervous breakdown.
precipice Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for precipice
- crag
- escarpment
- bluff
- cliff
- drop-off
Phrases with precipice
at the point where a dangerous or disastrous situation is about to begin
Example
The company was on the brink of bankruptcy before they received a large investment.
Example
After losing her job and her home, she felt like she was standing on a precipice of despair.
Example
The politician found himself on a moral precipice when he was asked to vote for a bill that went against his values.
Origins of precipice
from Latin 'praecipitium', meaning 'a steep place'
Summary: precipice in Brief
The term 'precipice' [ˈprɛsəpɪs] refers to a very steep rock face or cliff, or a point where danger, trouble, or difficulty begins. It can be used literally, as in 'The climbers were standing on the edge of a precipice,' or figuratively, as in 'The country is on the precipice of economic collapse.' Other phrases include 'on the brink/edge of a precipice,' 'a precipice of despair,' and 'a moral precipice.'
