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Glite Dictionary
precipitating

precipitating

6.7
Something that causes a sudden, unexpected event or change
  • adjective
  • /prɪˈsɪpɪˌteɪtɪŋ/
  • Formal
translation icon : precipitado
  • The sudden change in weather was the precipitating factor that led to the unexpected storm.

So talk to me about the precipitating event that kind of catalyzed, you know, this whole, this whole thing.

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Examples

  • So talk to me about the precipitating event that kind of catalyzed, you know, this whole, this whole thing.

    Rich Roll

  • I, I have to say there really was, there was a precipitating week that made me think, you know what, this has got to get out.

  • The beginning obviously is the precipitating factor of the story should be in the first line.

  • There was one there was one precipitating event that made me say either switched operations or resign.

    Julian Dorey

  • I'm, I'm misunderstanding what the precipitating thing on the Piers Morgan show was.

  • We've had satellites in orbit that that can detect precipitating clouds for a decade or more.

  • A precipitating incident at work triggered a series of discussions about company policy.

  • The patient's symptoms worsened due to a precipitating event that led them to seek medical help.

Synonyms

to spark
vsprecipitating
154 3.4

To cause something to start, often an idea or strong feeling

stresses suddenness and unexpected timing rather than gradual development
to precipitate
vsprecipitating
31 7.5

To cause something to happen suddenly before it was expected

is the same meaning but used to describe ongoing or progressive action
to touch off
vsprecipitating
  • US
15 7.4

Make an event or strong reaction start suddenly

focuses on abrupt initiation and unexpected consequences rather than steady change
to spark off
vsprecipitating
  • Informal
1 3.9

To cause a sudden event or strong reaction to begin

highlights sudden, unexpected causation rather than slow or planned change
to trigger off
vsprecipitating
  • UK
1 5.1

To cause something to start suddenly

emphasizes sudden and possibly forceful causation rather than gentle influence
induced
vsprecipitating
  • Specialized
5.9

Made to happen by another thing or action, not happening naturally

means abrupt and unexpected causation rather than simply caused by an agent

Antonyms

to prevent
∞ 2.3

Stop something from happening or someone from doing it

How Sudden

to trigger off
  • UK
1 5.1
to spark
154 3.4
precipitating
  • Formal
6.7
to catalyze
  • US
12 7.5
to influence
591 2.2

Surface Forms

precipitating positive

Morphology

precipitating = precipitate (transparent) = precipitate + ing

The adjective is a present-participial form of the verb 'precipitate'; if learners know 'precipitate' the adjectival meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

Precipitating comes from the Latin praecipitare, which meant 'to throw headlong' and combines prae- 'before' and caput 'head'; imagine being pushed head-first off a cliff (a precipice) — that sudden fall makes it easy to remember that to precipitate something is to cause it to happen quickly or suddenly.