adverb

1. very suddenly and to a great degree; “conditions that precipitously increase the birthrate”; “prices rose sharply”

2. abruptly; in a precipitous manner; “the mountains rose precipitously from the shore”

Main Entry: precipitous

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: fast

Synonyms: abrupt, breakneck, frantic, hasty, heedless, hurried, ill-advised, impatient, impetuous, impulsive, precipitate, quick, rapid, rash, reckless, rushing, sudden, swift, unanticipated, uncontrolled, unexpected, unforeseen, violent, willful, without warning

Notes:

precipitous ‘hasty, sudden and dramatic’ is used in relation to physical or natural objects;

precipitate ‘done with great haste’ relates to human actions or processes