Meaning & use

precipice

noun·Advanced

A very steep rock face or cliff edge, or figuratively a dangerous or critical situation.

See it in a sentence

The hikers stopped carefully at the precipice overlooking the valley below.

The company stood on the precipice of bankruptcy before a last-minute investor stepped in.

A note on using this word

Precipice is frequently used figuratively, as in on the precipice of, to describe being close to a dramatic or dangerous change.

Words with a similar meaning

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