to precipitate
32
7.5
- verb
- /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/
- Two factors in the first half of the 1970s precipitated its unprecedented growth.
- precipitate a crisis
- precipitate a change
- precipitate a conflict
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Watch on YouTubeWhat really precipitated the acute phase was back squats.
- What really precipitated the acute phase was back squats.
- You essentially, you spoke up about your needs and that precipitated the breakup.
- And so you, you know, you, you end up precipitating the very thing you're most afraid of because it's, that's your wall.
- Well, what's remarkable is when you look at this, Steven, President Putin has managed to precipitate everything he sought to prevent.
- Did the knowledge of Harry Selden's thoughts and plans precipitate the end of the Galactic Empire sooner than it otherwise would have?
- I think this is such an important concept and you, all of you have helped to lead to this point because your comments, your debate have precipitated this conversation.
- Often a psychic breakdown can be a can precipitate change, transition, awakening.
Examples
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Paradoxically, it was the 1968 student uprising that precipitated the Americanization of the French university.
Academic text (1990) -
Lina's suspicion of Johnnie's murderous intent is precipitated by the death of her father.
Academic text (1999) -
Before you even go in, make sure that you know, yes, this conversation could precipitate the end of this relationship.
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But to say how they might precipitate murder, well, I'm simply at a loss.
Fiction book (1999) -
But five months after Labour came to power, the Wall Street crash precipitated A worldwide economic crisis.
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Texas joined the American union, and its border dispute with Mexico precipitated the Mexican War.
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You essentially, you spoke up about your needs and that precipitated the breakup.
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Is it safe to say that this infidelity precipitated the divorce?
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Half a century ago, the launch of Sputnik precipitated major educational reform across all of education.
Academic text (2008) -
The sudden downturn in the market could precipitate a recession if it continues.
Synonyms
216
3.4
To cause something to start, often an idea or strong feeling
133
5.3
Cause a process, event, or feeling to start
16
7.4
Make an event or strong reaction start suddenly
4
5.1
To cause something to start suddenly
3
6.7
Something that causes a sudden, unexpected event or change
Antonyms
How Sudden
Surface Forms
Morphology
precipitate = precipit + ate
The sense 'to cause something to happen suddenly' is an extended, metaphorical use of the Latin-derived stem plus '-ate'; this connection is not transparently recoverable by learners from the surface parts alone.
Etymology
Precipitate comes from Latin parts prae- 'before' and caput 'head', giving the image of a 'headlong' fall. That is why to precipitate an event means to cause it to happen suddenly or quickly.