precipitate
/pɹəˈsɪpɪteɪt/
Group 4Difficulty 2/3
Definitions
- (verb)
- To cause to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely GRE
- (adjective)
- Done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration GRE
Example in Context
The abrupt policy change precipitated a crisis of confidence in the financial markets that took months to fully resolve.
Synonyms
triggercausehasten
Etymology
To throw something down suddenly, causing it to happen unexpectedly.
- praecipitare (Latin) — to throw down
Memory Aid
☕Sounds like “pre-sip-it-ate”
Imagine a waiter who PRE-SIPS your drink and then SLAMS it down, making it happen WAY too fast — that's to PREcipitate!
Visual Association
💨A clumsy waiter tripping and spilling drinks everywhere, causing chaos in the café.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Confusable Pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “precipitate” mean on the GRE?
precipitate (verb) means “To cause to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely”. The abrupt policy change precipitated a crisis of confidence in the financial markets that took months to fully resolve.
How to remember “precipitate” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “precipitate” sounds like “pre-sip-it-ate”. Imagine a waiter who PRE-SIPS your drink and then SLAMS it down, making it happen WAY too fast — that's to PREcipitate!
What are synonyms for “precipitate”?
Common synonyms: trigger, cause, hasten.